Council delays implementation of Sunday car park charges

Councillors have rejected plans to introduce Sunday parking charges, which shopkeepers had warned would be a "serious mistake." The charges were intended for Somerset Council car parks in Taunton, Yeovil, and Bridgwater but faced significant public opposition, including from local business owners and church representatives.

The council originally proposed the new fees to standardize parking costs, which currently vary due to legacy policies from previous local authorities.

Instead of approving the charges at a meeting in Taunton, councillors chose to conduct a comprehensive review of all parking arrangements in the county next year. Councillor Richard Wilkins emphasized the need for a fair and consistent approach across Somerset.

The upcoming review will consider Sunday parking fees but will also evaluate other options for the 200 council-managed car parks, which currently operate under different rules inherited from former local councils. The council stated that the goal is to "ensure consistency" and maintain a fully self-funded service.

Local businesses expressed concerns that new charges could reduce customer visits and affect staffing levels.

A consultation held in September and October revealed that nearly 93% of the 4,200 respondents opposed the introduction of Sunday fees. Somerset Council estimated that if implemented countywide, the charges could generate an additional 730,000 annually.

Despite this potential revenue, the council clarified that parking is not intended as a profit-making measure. Enforcement fines must support transport-related projects, while any surplus from parking fees can only be used for general council spending after covering operational costs.

Author: Ava Mitchell