Somerset Council defends ‘fair’ ten per cent rise in parking charges

Somerset Council has defended its decision to increase car parking charges by 10 per cent from January, arguing it represents a “fair approach” to a “very complex” issue.

The increase will apply to all council-owned car parks, with a new tiered pricing structure due to follow in autumn 2027.

The plans follow significant local opposition, including a petition signed by nearly 4,200 people, which called on the council to keep Sunday parking free where it currently applies, retain free car parks, reconsider tariff increases and avoid introducing on-street charges without the support of affected communities and businesses.

The petition was presented to the council’s executive on 7th October by Conservative deputy opposition leader Cllr Dawn Denton, who represents Frome North.

She said, “The pressure from Somerset residents through our campaign has clearly been felt, and we welcome the partial U-turn.

“But it is a great shame that at a time when our council repeatedly tells us that there is no money, over £270,000 pounds has been spent on excessive consultants for this review.

“While changes have now been made – which we, on behalf of the residents we all represent, all welcome – the proposals have not gone away, they have simply been delayed.”

The council allocated £272,824 from its parking reserve for external consultants to review car park usage and develop proposals. It has since watered down its original plans, opting for a flat 10 per cent increase in January before introducing the tiered system in 2027.

The January increase will be the first since August 2025 and will coincide with the replacement of outdated parking machines, costing £350,000 from the parking reserve.

Council leader Bill Revans said the changes were “a balanced, fair way of moving forwards”, adding that the council needed to be fair to all towns in Somerset.

He said, “Of course I have sympathy with motorists, because no-one likes increases in car park charges, but we have a policy that the user pays.

“This has been a huge piece of work. It’s taken a long time to get it right.”

Deputy leader Liz Leyshon defended the spending on consultants, saying specialist knowledge had been needed to address the differences in parking charges across Somerset.

The council said further consultation would take place on on-street parking charges and the future of car parks which are currently free.

Pictured: Councillor Dawn Denton