Council to consider ending free parking in towns

The council is due to discuss the possible charges on 7 February

Free parking could end soon in three towns under plans to be discussed by North Somerset Council.

Charges may be introduced in Nailsea, Portishead and Clevedon between 09:00 and 17:00 or 18:00.

The proposal is to be discussed before the North Somerset Council's executive on 7 February.

Hannah Young, executive member for highways and transport, said: "The introduction of parking charges can also encourage more people to make short journeys sustainably."

People will not be charged to park at The Beach in Clevedon

She added: "These charges would enable us to improve the operation and maintenance of our car parks for residents and visitors."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, in Nailsea, charges could be introduced for Clevedon Road car park, Station Road car park, and on-street parking in the town centre.

In Portishead, Roath Road car park and the Lake Grounds could stop being free, along with on-street locations in the town centre.

Charges could be introduced on the Marson Road, Great Western Road East, and Great Western Road West car parks in Clevedon, as well as on streets in the town centre, around the Triangle, on Hill Road, and on the seafront on Elton Road and Old Church Road in the east.

However The Beach is not being considered for fees, as councillors Michael Pryke and Luke Smith wrote to the council urging them to drop plans to charge for parking there and on Hill Road.

"It’s good news that the council has reversed its position with relation to introducing charges along The Beach," they said.

Residents may have the choice to apply for "short-stay car park permits" which will allow them to stay for up to two hours near shops.

If approved, the plan will go through a six-week consultation before coming back to the executive for a decision in the summer.