Today, Graham Godwin-Pearson has asked the following question of the Lib Dem Somerset Council Executive committee in Taunton:-
"Obviously with finances as they are at County Hall, there’s pressure to raise revenue in all manner of ways, including increasing parking charges, or introducing charges where parking is currently free.
With the county-wide parking review due back to this committee in October, I’m keen to ensure that any changes to parking charges in the Cheddar ward, including Axbridge and Shipham, are supported by evidence that such a change will - in fact - benefit our rural communities.
Applying charges where parking is currently free may look like a good idea, but could in practice have the opposite effect, deterring shoppers, visitors, families and hikers - and harming local retail and hospitality.
My first question is whether the methodology and street-level evidence to determine the proposed tier, including:-
- occupancy
- turnover
- financial performance and
- local economic impacts
...will be published for scrutiny by stakeholders, including the Parish and Town Councils, businesses and the public, before any recommendations are put forward?
There is remarkably little evidence that introducing parking charges in small rural communities either improves parking management or supports local economies, so we absolutely have to be sure that any change is based on evidence demonstrating not just a purely financial decision, but a benefit outweighing the risk to independent businesses and the visitor economy.
Secondly, I note that the report is likely to include informal engagement with Parish and Town Councils, rather than a formal consultation, which is a pity. But, has Somerset Council contacted Cheddar Parish Council, Axbridge Town Council, Shipham Parish Council and Compton Bishop Parish Council as part of the parking review? If so, when did that engagement take place, what information was shared, and will their responses be published alongside the October report?
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Response from Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services: Cllr Richard Wilkins
The Parking Review has been designed to ensure that any recommendations are evidence-based and reflect local circumstances, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach across Somerset. The methodology approved by Executive includes detailed on-street and off-street parking surveys to assess parking supply, demand, occupancy, turnover and parking behaviour, alongside consideration of local factors. The aim is to understand how parking functions within each town and community and to identify opportunities to improve availability, reduce congestion and displacement, support appropriate turnover, and align with wider transport and community objectives.
The Parking Principles approved by Executive in March recognise the importance of supporting town centre vitality, local communities, accessibility and sustainable travel, and acknowledge that rural and village locations have different characteristics and needs from larger urban centres. It is important to note that no decisions have yet been taken on the allocation of individual car parks to a particular tier or on the introduction of charges in currently free car parks.
The report being brought to Executive in September will set out the proposed tier allocations for existing chargeable car parks, together with recommendations relating to existing free car parks and on-street parking, where appropriate, supported by the survey evidence and wider assessment undertaken as part of the review. The proposals will be discussed at the Climate Environment and Place Scrutiny Committee on the 3rd September 2026.
To date, the review has focused on collecting and analysing baseline survey data. Engagement on any specific proposals has not yet taken place and will form part of the next stage of the process as recommendations are developed. The Executive report will provide further detail on the proposed approach to engagement and consultation prior to the implementation of any changes.
