Hundreds against council plan to end free parking

More than 1,600 people have signed a petition against Somerset Council's plans to scrap its remaining free car parks and bring in Sunday and overnight charges across all its parking sites.

Members of the council's scrutiny committee have also voted against the proposals, which are due to have a final decision next week.

Somerset Council is proposing the changes because different rates currently apply across its car parks.

It said the aim of the proposal was to "bring consistency" to the county, and ensure the service remained "completely self-funded". If approved in principle by the authority's executive committee on Monday, the proposals will go out to a public consultation.

The petition, started by Taunton businesswoman Susie Thomas, said the proposals were being "rushed through under cover of financial emergency and budget setting with inadequate debate and scrutiny".

Ms Thomas said there had been no prior consultation with businesses and there was "a very real risk of doing unwitting damage to Taunton's nightlife, including our cultural scene and town centre economy".

She also said the charging proposals offered "no specific improvements to parking facilities in exchange" for the higher charges.

Meanwhile, Conservative councillor Stephen Pugsley said the proposals were "premature" and needed "more work doing".

He said the scrutiny committee, when it met on Monday, felt there was not enough detail for its members to feel able to support the plans.

The scrutiny committee's feedback will be given to the council's executive committee when it meets to discuss the parking proposals on Monday.

Business owners and residents, including in Milverton, Wiveliscombe and Langport, have said they fear plans to scrap free parking could mean the loss of footfall and income.

Somerset Green councillor Dave Mansell said: "It is feared that many people will avoid the charges by parking in local streets, adding to problems with access being blocked and others then being unable to park near their homes.

"Local shop keepers are concerned that shoppers will abandon Wiveliscombe and go to out-of-town supermarkets instead."

Councillor Richard Wilkins, the council's lead member for transport and waste, said of the charges, which have not been reviewed since 2023: "We have many car parks in Somerset and there are significant costs and challenges involved in running and maintaining them.

"It's really important we bring fairness and uniformity in charges across the county and, in turn, the extra income will help ensure the parking service is fully self-financed and can continue to be run, staffed and maintained properly."

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