Bath Council Proposes Size-Based Parking Charges for Larger Vehicles
Drivers in Bath with larger cars could soon face increased parking costs under new proposals being considered by the city council. Councillors have agreed to move forward with further public consultation on changes to parking charges, which include introducing fees based on vehicle dimensions for residents' parking permits and adjustments to all-day parking at Bath's three Park & Ride sites.
Initial Consultation Reveals Mixed Public Support
The initial public consultation on these proposals ran from October 17 to November 7, attracting 490 responses and 660 comments from local residents. The feedback revealed divided opinions on the suggested changes.
Regarding size-based charges for residents' parking permits, 50 percent of respondents supported introducing charges or discounts based on vehicle size, while 44 percent opposed the idea. For Park & Ride sites, 38 percent supported increasing the 24-hour parking charge from £3 to £4 for motorists who don't use the bus service, with 37 percent opposed.
Visitor permit charges, which haven't been changed since 2013, received less support with only 31 percent in favor of increases and 59 percent opposed.
Some Proposals Withdrawn Following Community Feedback
Plans to extend parking charges at Bath Hill East car park in Keynsham to include Saturdays will not proceed after residents and businesses expressed concerns about the potential impact on local footfall and affordability. This decision demonstrates the council's responsiveness to community input during the consultation process.
Council Statements on the Proposed Changes
Councillor Joel Hirst explained the rationale behind the size-based charges ahead of the proposed changes: "We know residents care deeply about how parking is managed in their communities and the first consultation gave us valuable feedback, including support for permit costs based on vehicle size. The aim of this is to encourage ownership of smaller, safer vehicles that reduce the risk of serious injury to pedestrians and cyclists and cause less obstruction on narrow streets."
Councillor Manda Rigby added in a statement: "After careful consideration of the feedback, we've decided to move forward with some of the recommended changes, and we will go out to seek further views on more detailed proposals."
Next Steps in the Consultation Process
The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) public consultation will take place later this spring, providing another opportunity for Bath residents to voice their opinions on the proposed parking changes. This additional consultation phase will allow the council to gather more detailed feedback before making final decisions on implementing the new parking charge structure.
