Council brings in fees in previously free car parks

Rock Street Car Park in Thornbury is one of the places where charges will be introduced

A council is attempting to balance its books by introducing new parking charges on 22 previously free car parks.

South Gloucestershire Council says an estimated £800,000 is "desperately" needed to maintain essential services.

The affected car parks are in Thornbury, Staple Hill, Mangotsfield, Yate, Winterbourne, Kingswood, Filton, Hanham, Warmley and Stoke Gifford.

The authority says it will "set charges as low as possible while still generating important revenue".

The council says at least 10% of spaces in short stay car parks where charges will be introduced will remain free for 30 minutes.

Short-stay parking will be charged at 70p for the first hour, but other rates will apply to long-stay, train station and park & ride car parks.

This is intended to boost turnover and allow more drivers to make short trips to local shops, for example.

The authority added there will be a “validation system” in some car parks so people using them to visit a GP will not be charged.

Blue badge holders will still be able to park for free in short stay car parks, but will have to pay if staying for more than four hours in long stay car parks.

The long-stay Byron Place car park in Staple Hill is one of the 22 sites where changes will be implemented

Cabinet member for communities and local place, Cllr Sean Rhodes, said: “We know that many residents did not want to have to pay car park charges locally.

"However, the financial situation faced by the council, and the assumptions built into the previous budget by the previous administration, mean that we have had to take this decision.

“We are all used to paying for parking when we drive almost anywhere outside of South Gloucestershire, but I am pleased that we will be able to set charges as low as possible while still generating important revenue for the council, which will allow us to protect other vital services.”

The council plans to introduce the charges in the spring of 2025.