Mixed reaction to parking decision from Frome businesses

MENDIP District Council has pushed through the Sunday parking charges to all car parks in Frome – despite almost universal condemnation in the town. The new charges will start this summer.

However, pressure from a Frome Town Council petition and views from local  people and businesses about the detrimental impact of charges, have caused Mendip to lift the charge for the Independent Market Sundays.

The decision to implement Sunday car parking charges in Frome was taken at the Mendip District Council cabinet meeting on Monday 21st May. There will be a set fee of £2 across car parks between 9am and 6pm on Sundays, unless it is a Frome Independent Market Sunday.

Commenting on the outcome, council leader Toby Eliot said, ‘I would like to thank personally all those that signed the petition and others that made representations at the meeting.  It’s clear that the strength of feeling had some impact and we won some concessions. I don’t believe there would have been any movement from Mendip had there not been such a strong campaign from Frome.  But we are still concerned about the impact of Mendip’s decision to charge on other Sundays.

“This unfortunate decision will not help local businesses at a time when we need to be doing all we can to boost town centres. I call on Mendip to think again about this in the upcoming 21-day consultation period.”

Mayor of Frome, cllr Richard Ackroyd said, “I recognise that the £2 charge on a Sunday is seen as a compromise by Mendip District Council and I welcome the free parking once a month on Independent Market Sundays.  I understand that Mendip have to make money from their assets, but I would like to see a proper parking review that takes into account things like the number of ‘on road’ parking spaces, yellow lines, numbers of visitors to Frome, public transport options, as well as alternative provision for cyclists and walkers.

“This would need a proper consultation with Somerset County Highways and a published future plan based on evidence.  Frome is a growing town, with a vibrant centre and much of this will not be possible in future if parking fees rise too much.  A 21-day consultation is all very well, but we know that it will change nothing – Mendip District Council have spoken!”

As a business that could be heavily impacted by Mendip’s decision, Steve Macarthur, at The Cheese and Grain, shared his reservations with Frome Times. He said, “The main concern of the Cheese and Grain remains the issue of regional and national events that have, up until now, chosen Frome and the Cheese and Grain precisely because of the plentiful free parking.

“There is little stopping these events from relocating elsewhere. If these events move to other towns, Mendip District Council are not going to be seeing much Sunday parking income anyway and Frome’s economy will be hit hard for no good outcome for anyone.

“Given that these charges are implemented, Mendip needs to work with the Cheese & Grain to offer incentives for these Sunday events to stay in Frome. Happily we have had an indication that this will happen.”

Even though the decision has come as a blow to business in Frome, one business is pleased with the outcome. The Frome Independent Market, who was worried about the future of their market after the news was first announced, is relieved that the charge will be lifted on market days.

Tabitha Clayson, director of The Frome Independent said, “The Frome Independent was pleased to have been invited to engage with Mendip District Council  over proposed parking charges. We are very relieved that the council listened and responded to our concerns regarding the impact of Sunday charging on our event.

“The most serious of these concerns was the risk that residential streets would become overcrowded with people avoiding parking charges, resulting in access for residents, and more importantly,  the emergency services being compromised, which ultimately would result in the event not being able to go ahead.

“The Frome Independent is a not-for-profit organisation and we already pay market licence fees to Mendip District Council of approximately £9,000 per year. As a large event with a road closure we incur significant overheads, which are covered entirely by the pitch fees paid by our traders – the majority of whom are from Frome, Mendip and Somerset.

“So it is also a great relief that all the small-scale producers, makers, designers, farmers and traders that are part of, and put money back into, the local economy, won’t be hit with the extra cost of a day’s parking when coming to trade with us.”

Frome Town Council is currently collating a response to Mendip District Council about this decision.  If you would like to register a response please ring 465757 or email parking@ frometowncouncil .gov.uk