Bristol Live readers have mixed views on the news that South Gloucestershire is set to introduce new car parking charges across 22 council-owned car parks from spring next year. The decision, approved by South Gloucestershire Council in February as part of its budget plans, was met with opposition from nearly 70 per cent of respondents in a public consultation last year.
Despite this, the council believes the scheme will generate over £800,000 annually and help protect valued services. Charges will apply from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, with free parking on Sundays and Bank Holidays, excluding Park and Ride and train station car parks.
Payments will be cashless, made via paperless pay and stay machines. Discussions are ongoing with local councils and stakeholders about the scheme, with several formal processes to be completed before its implementation next year.
Commenter AdvisoryService101 says: “We all have been paying via council tax for the few who regularly use the parking facilities. Now the people who actually use the facilities pay and those who don’t, don’t pay. Well done for correcting an imbalance.”
Batteryacid adds: “This was caused by a failure of assumptions built into the budget by the previous Tory council administration. It’s good to see their mess being cleared up by the new, competent councillors.”
Jubblyone4 disagrees: “When businesses close down and shops lie empty, it will cost the taxpayer more due to lack of income from business rates etc. Don’t let your anti-car bias cloud your judgement.”
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Junius1 thinks: “A common sense measure bringing South Gloucestershire into line with most of the rest of the country. Just a view of some controversy (no doubt with local drivers). The charges cited by South Gloucestershire are comparatively low- going on hourly rates- against what other UK councils are charging. Bracknell Forest Council, for example, charges £6.65 per hour and Wyre Forest £4.05 per hour. Little comes for free these days, particularly with councils in financial crisis.”
Evening replies: “But the rest of the country has high streets that are dying. It’s not a great model to follow.”
Sparky7 agrees: “Well done South Glos Council. The retail parks must be rubbing their hands with glee at these proposals. You are definitely not supporting the local high streets!”
Martynh asks: “What’s the point in having a consultation when 70 percent of objections make no difference whatsoever to the outcome? Does it require 100 percent to make any difference?”
CandlestickMaker replies: “One thing that the council didn’t say was that the money made would help towards the various projects they want to introduce regarding cycle lanes and other climate change related matters. The previous budget was based on the financial situation at the time.”
Batteryacid adds: “The previous Tory administration made some incorrect assumptions in their budget. As Cllr Sean Rhodes explains, the council listened carefully to the feedback and responded positively to the questions people raised about how the parking charges would be put into practice.”
Brizvia adds: “14 long years of an incompetent Tory government, which crashed the economy under Liz Truss, has led to this, a local council scratching around to find money to pay for essential services.”
How do you feel about the new parking charges? Will they deter you from shopping in the City Centre? Have your say in our comments section.