Bristol Live readers are having their say in our comments section, on the recent proposal to charge drivers of larger cars more for parking in Bristol.
The proposals are that drivers of larger, more polluting vehicles could face higher parking charges in Bristol, as city council transport bosses consider a radical shake-up of the rules. The plans, which are still in the early stages, could also see a reduction in roadside parking spaces.
The council is said to be heavily influenced by Lambeth, where the London borough council plans to convert a quarter of kerbside space into areas for trees, benches and bike storage. Previously, 94 per cent of kerbside space was allocated for parking.
Lambeth also determines the cost of a resident’s parking permit based on their vehicle’s CO2 emissions. Bristol City Council’s transport policy committee will vote on Thursday, October 24, to establish a group to explore all options.
One reader, Carlos Danfango says: “Instead of just forcing cars out why not try and find a solution? Yes they block pavements so why not create more parking space? The obvious place to go is underground. Digging extensive underground car parks would create employment and get vehicles off the road.
“They could also include space for live music, raves etc. as many venues are threatened by development and, also, the noise would be completely masked. As much of Bristol is built on carboniferous strata some of the costs could be offset by the large amount of coal that would be dug out. This could then be exported to China which burns billions of tons of the stuff to make electric cars which it sells back to us thereby helping our balance of payments.”
Cheingmai1 comments: “My friend had a cafe near the BRI, slowly the council under those mayors bus lane cycle lane etc etc with the parking too moved out along with many shops. Better location and parking available elsewhere. Now that area is a no go area for anyone who wants to start a small business.
“Nowhere to park and everything else. Why is the council doing this for a successful little area near the BRI pretty much dead. We are providing cycle and bus lanes for Bristol but we kill any business in the area just like the city centre dead. I suppose once all the business people or places remain empty or dead they will say or provide student digs more of them and nothing for anyone else. People will say want to go shopping let’s go to Cribbs, Bristol city centre not worth it – free parking, all the good shops and there no need to look elsewhere.”
Pip222 speaks from personal experience: “I own several shops around there – including a cafe. I believe that the introduction of restrictions on Colston Street and Park Row is a long overdue blessing. The rent I’ve charged over the last 20 years has never increased in the whole of that time – the reason? Traffic puts people off shopping there. We need more restrictions and better pedestrian routes.”
BS8GR8 thinks: “An idea definitely worthy of consideration. Larger cars take up more road space and pollute more. The majority of large cars I see around me are parents dropping kids off to the many well known private schools from their Range Rovers, Porsche Cayenne BMW x5 etc with no care for pedestrians often pulling up onto the pavement or parking on or near pedestrian crossings obscuring the view.
“I can understand farmers or those living in countryside having larger cars but totally unnecessary in a built urban environment- very much a polluting lifestyle decision above all else. Get you kids to cycle or walk to school or even take the bus they may learn something about real life then!”
Bs3bob replies: “Plenty of Chelsea tractors and other larger vehicles around the poorer areas of Bristol too.”
6470 believes: “Bristol City Council will do anything to get more money in when they say lets ban cars from the city centre, we will try and make money from cars elsewhere. There is a sort of Jekyll and Hyde attitude to cars one minute there bad the next minute we can lots of money out of this. My car is a 898 engine where does this come in the order of things, just because some other council does it that does not make it right.”
Fisherman19 answers: “Perhaps charging smaller cars less would be the way to go? Less stick and more carrot promotes good will amongst tax payers and good will promotes more adherence to regulations.”
Bs3bob joins in with: “Thing is all cars have got bigger. Partly due to safety considerations and partly for more space, unless you buy a small city car which is impractical for most, apart from trips around town. Yes you have crazy oversized SUVs, but most ‘normal’ cars are much bigger too. A new Corsa is the same size as a 20yr old astra for example.”
Othermeinnit thinks: “Less polluting, generally smaller, cars used to get cheap or free RPZ permits. I’m sure you could do a similar thing using the footprint, so a little Fiat doesn’t pay much but something like a Kia Sorento pays a fortune.”
So what do you think is the answer to Bristol’s parking issues? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.