Somerset Council’s Executive has given the green light to a phased move towards fairer and more consistent parking charges across the county.
From January all parking fees in paid-for Somerset Council car parks will increase by 10 per cent – the first increase in 17 months. A new tiered charging system, applicable seven days a week, and agreed in March by the Council’s Executive Committee, will come into effect from autumn 2027.
There are currently different rates and charging principles applied across Somerset’s 120 council-run chargeable car parks and the system has not been reviewed since the creation of Somerset Council in 2023. In addition there are 42 car parks which are currently free to use.
The new system follows a comprehensive review of all council car parks and discussion at the Council’s Climate, Environment and Place Scrutiny Committee last month. A revised report and recommendations taking on board feedback and giving drivers, businesses and communities more time to adjust to the changes, along with a set of mitigations, was approved this week, (Wednesday 6 October), by the Council’s Executive.
You can read the report and full recommendations here.
Councillor Liz Leyshon, Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance, said:
We have listened to the concerns of residents and businesses which is why we are deferring the move to the new tiered system of parking charges for 12 months.
The fact remains that the current system is inherently unfair – all the former district councils had different parking policies and that means charges are different across the county – we have a responsibility to address this, and these proposals are about creating a clearer and more consistent system, while recognising that every town and community is different.
We have also included practical measures as part of this programme, which will be in place for when the new structure commences next year, including better payment machines, larger bays at Orchard Multi-Storey Car Park and a 7-day Park and Ride trial in Taunton.
Council’s Parking Services team will commence engagement with communities, local Councillors and stakeholders on the possible options for existing free car parks from autumn 2027, and on the potential interventions for on-street parking changes from January 2028. Officers will also review existing parking permits and concessions.
Key recommendations include:
• Approval of up to £350,000 from the Parking Reserve to replace outdated payment machines across Somerset.
• Approval of up to £150,000 to redesign bays at Taunton’s Orchard Multi-Storey Car Park, storey by storey, to better accommodate larger and heavier vehicles, including electric vehicles.
• A 6-month trial of 7-day operation for Taunton Park and Ride service.
• Proposals to extend town-centre residents’ parking schemes and on-street restrictions from 6 to 7 days, to be in place before any 7-day off-street charging is introduced.
• A framework enabling city, town and parish councils to support local parking objectives if they wish to do so.
No decisions will be taken at this stage on introducing charges at car parks which are currently free.
The Council would first engage with communities, local councillors, businesses and other stakeholders on free car parks, on-street parking, permits, concessions and future payment arrangements.
Any proposals requiring changes to parking orders or traffic regulation orders would also go through the relevant statutory process, including consultation and consideration of objections.
