Residents launch campaign against ‘questionable’ parking charges

LOCAL residents are protesting against new parking restrictions set to be introduced on Weymouth Road.

Somerset County Council is set to introduce new parking restrictions on Weymouth Road – a residential road adjacent to Victoria Park – including resident parking permits and on-street parking meters.

Residents challenging the decision, say that the changes will impact visitors to Victoria Park, discouraging them from visiting; and that it will force cars to park in nearby streets with no restrictions, causing parking issues elsewhere.

They have also highlighted that residents and businesses of Catherine Street – who have to use the unrestricted parking areas of Weymouth Road due to limited parking on their own street – have not been considered. They have also raised concerns about proposed parking restrictions for nearby Somerset Road. 

“Implementing this on just two roads will have a terrible knock-on effect on surrounding roads,” said one resident. “There are many houses and flats in the older part of Frome with no parking and these people do need to park somewhere.” 

Another resident added, “Restricting parking on Weymouth Road and Somerset Road will just move more cars to neighbouring streets. We need a joined-up plan rather than point solutions” while another said, “It will restrict access to the park for those that need to use their cars to get there, e.g., pushchair, wheelchair, disabled.”

“Victoria Park serves a wide area, including people from out of town,” added another resident. “It’s used for recreation and exercise – the council should be encouraging the use of public spaces like this, not discouraging it.”

Representatives from the surrounding streets have organised an online petition, which has already garnered over 300 signatures. They recently met with local councillor Damon Hooton – who is a Mendip District councillor to discuss their campaign.

The petition says, “In line with section 18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004, we would like to request a review of the parking scheme on Weymouth Road in Frome. This includes the use of pay to park meters and the introduction of resident parking permits.  

“The implications of this scheme will have an impact not only on Weymouth Road residents, but also residents and businesses on surrounding streets, and local people visiting Victoria Park; the majority of whom, have not been consulted.

“The only people to be offered permits are residents of Weymouth Road, where an overwhelming majority of the properties already have access to off-road parking in the form of drives or garages.  

“Victoria Park is a free community space that is used by large numbers of locals and their families. Planned parking meters and permit parking along both Weymouth Road and future plans for adjoining Somerset Road, will discourage and may prevent people from being able to use the space altogether. 

“Given these points, the organisers believe that the appropriateness of the council’s current parking scheme is questionable and should be withdrawn and reconsidered.”

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said, “Residents will be aware we have been reviewing and consulting about parking problems in the area for some time.  

“The initial request was prompted by concerns from residents of Weymouth Road, but potential for displacement was raised and consequently the consultation was widened to adjacent roads, including Nunney and Somerset Roads. All residents were written to and offered the opportunity to be part of a wider scheme but there was no support for this, so a permit scheme is being introduced to Weymouth Road only.  

“Following feedback regarding access to the park, we will be providing two disabled parking bays near the park entrance and extending the free parking period within Weymouth Road to 90 minutes.  

“We will review the scheme after a few months of operation – if the residents in adjacent roads decide to be included in an extension of the scheme this can be arranged as soon as possible. Residents will also have an opportunity as part of a forthcoming wider Frome parking review.” 

To add your voice, and sign the petition, go to: https://chng.it/ZSKFkmBcTF