Letter: Somerset Council should not increase parking charges

Regarding your article on September 4, 2026, 'Council faces backlash about proposed Sunday parking charges':

As a local Labour candidate and resident, I am deeply concerned by the proposed increases to our local parking charges.

At a time when household budgets are stretched to the limit and our high street businesses are fighting hard to attract footfall, raising the cost to park sends entirely the wrong message.

Research shows that punitive parking fees actively discourage shoppers, driving trade away from independent local retailers toward out-of-town retail parks or online corporate giants.

Our town centre should be a welcoming hub for families, shoppers, and workers; not a cash cow to balance short-term deficits.

If we want a vibrant, thriving local economy, we must make it easier and more affordable for residents to support our own high street, not erect financial barriers at the ticket machine.

I urge the council to reconsider these counterproductive hikes and stand up for our local traders and community.

Yours sincerely

Alex Martin

Labour Candidate for Nerrols and Pyrland (county), and Maidenbrook (town)