Date published: 2024-10-28 | Category: Bath, Giving people a bigger say, Parking and Travel, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency
Bath & North East Somerset Council car park charges are set to come into force including changes made to the initial proposals following feedback.
Emission-based parking charges will be introduced at all council-owned car parks in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, and Saltford as well as all on-street parking locations in Bath. Parking charges will also see a modest increase over the next two years.
The changes will be phased into council-owned car parks in Bath, Keynsham and Saltford throughout November. Changes to on-street parking charges in Bath will be introduced in January 2025.
After considering the feedback it received, the council is amending its proposals affecting car parks in Midsomer Norton and Radstock, where two-hours of free parking will form part of the changes in implementing charging, also with a reduction in the hourly rate from what was initially proposed. The new charges will be introduced from January 2025, after the peak holiday period.
All emission-based charge tariffs will be published on the council’s parking and travel webpages when they go live but can be viewed now in the outcome report from the public consultation on the council’s website. Once the changes have been implemented a one-hour stay in a council-owned Bath car park will cost between £1.80 - £2.60, depending on vehicle emissions.
Introducing emission-based charges for motorbikes has been withdrawn due to feedback received through the public consultation and technical challenges in providing them a lower parking charge. The council plans on reviewing those proposed charges through a new consultation process at a later date.
The council’s consultation on the proposed parking charges received 4,322 individual responses, as well as two signed petitions. In the consultation 77 percent of respondents expressed concerns about air quality and its impact on health, while 58 percent felt it important to tackle and improve air quality.
Emission-based parking charges affects motorists with more polluting vehicles which are charged at a higher rate. Motorists can check their vehicle’s emissions on the Government’s website, but do not need to know their vehicle emissions or engine size when paying for their stay.
A recent report shows air quality across Bath and North East Somerset is continuing to improve with nitrogen dioxide concentrations decreasing.
Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’ve had great feedback from our consultation, and I’d like to thank all those that took the time to share their views with us. We’ve listened and made changes to what was originally put forward and will now introduce two hours free parking in Midsomer Norton and Radstock car parks with a reduced tariff for longer stays. Currently there will be no parking charges for motorbikes. These changes reflect our policy and also show we listen and adapt proposals in light of feedback, and do not have a one size fits all mentality when it comes to the implementation of our schemes.”
“Air quality in Bath & North East Somerset is improving, we know it’s a concern for people living here and the changes we’re making to parking charges is another step to improve further. While targets and legal levels exist for air pollution, there is no safe limit. We want to reduce congestion, change behaviours and encourage more sustainable ways to travel.”
Signage will be updated where required to reflect the new charging structure and the council is advising customers to check this signage when paying for their stays.
In Keynsham, the 30 minutes free parking in dedicated bays will remain. Parking at the council’s three Park & Ride sites will remain free for those using the bus service.
ENDS