Local campaigner and Conservative council candidate Graham Godwin-Pearson is calling for Cheddar’s car parks to remain cheap or, where possible, free, warning that higher charges risk damaging local businesses and pushing more vehicles onto residential streets.
Somerset Council’s 2026 parking review proposed an increase of roughly 50% in charges in Cheddar. Graham raised the issue directly with the Council in July and September 2026, questioning whether the council had properly considered Cheddar’s particular circumstances and asking whether local opposition to the increases would be respected. As a result of the local opposition, the changes have been pushed back by a year, with a 10% rise across the board implemented after Christmas.
Graham is now calling for a wider rethink of the role parking plays in supporting the village economy.
He says, “Cheddar needs people to come into the village, use our shops, visit our attractions and support local businesses. Cheap or free parking helps make that happen.
“We’re not a town with plentiful public transport where people can simply leave the car at home. Nor should we treat visitors as a source of easy revenue. Put parking prices up too far and some people will simply go elsewhere, while others will look for free spaces in residential roads.
“I want to see Cheddar become easier and more attractive to visit. Keeping parking affordable should be part of that.”
Church Street and Cliff Street are currently the only locations being considered as part of this parking review. Axbridge Square, the business park in Cheddar and other locations are being looked-at separately.
