The council is consulting on bringing in charges at 10 locations
Westbury Hill car park in Westbury-on-Trym, with the GP surgery at the rear (Image: Google Maps)
Campaigners are being urged to muster one last stand in the hope of overturning controversial new charges at a north Bristol car park.
Bristol City Council has launched a public consultation for a formal ‘traffic regulation order’ (TRO) to introduce pay and display at Westbury Village.
It includes 10 district car parks across the city which are currently free of charge, but the one at Westbury-on-Trym has been by far the most contentious because it backs onto a GP surgery and serves two churches, along with many community groups and local shops.
Councillors on the transport and connectivity committee approved the new fees a year ago by a vote of 7-2 despite more than 140 objections for the Westbury car park alone.
The first hour will remain free but then motorists will have to pay £1.50 an hour for up to four hours.
The charges were initially proposed by the former Labour administration in February 2024 but were deferred by a year in a deal with the Conservatives, who have always opposed the plans, to get the annual council budget approved.
In a post on Facebook, Westbury & Henleaze Tories said: “This is a proposal that’s been rumbling on for years.
“We’ve campaigned against it all that time and managed to get it removed from one budget, but we were outvoted when it came back to the council’s transport committee.”
They said the local authority was consulting on the proposed legal order (TRO) until Friday, December 12, and would have to respond to every comment.
The Conservatives said: “There are lots of reasons why this proposal is a bad idea and harmful to the village, but at this statutory stage the only points that the council has to take into account are ones that directly relate to their ‘statement of reasons’, ie, showing that the scheme won’t deliver the benefits that they think it will.”
The group said the authority’s argument that there would be a better turnover of spaces was wrong because the amount of time drivers could park would increase from three to four hours.
It said the fees would not prevent commuter parking or make more bays available for shoppers.
The post said: “The scheme allows businesses and the medical centre (who haven’t asked for it) to apply for permanent parking permits, removing parking that would otherwise be available for shoppers.
“Currently the main times when there are no spaces available for shoppers are at rare peak shopping times, not during the working day when commuters would be using the car park.”
The Tories also object to the council’s stance that the charges would support local businesses.
They said: “Since the closure of the privately-run Carlton Court car park earlier this year, businesses in the Village have reported a 30 per cent reduction in footfall.
“This is clear evidence that restricting parking will actively harm local businesses, not support them.”
The replies to the post overwhelmingly condemn the plans.
Rebecca Baker said: “Quite simply, if they get this proposal through it will absolutely put our independent shops, hairdressers and eateries out of business and it will never be revoked.
“It’s an all-out attack on the high street and local businesses.”
Ali Robertson said: “We are a village with a high number of elderly residents and that car park is next to a shop, a church and the only doctor’s office in the village.
“To expect our elderly residents to pay if they wish to go to those places is a kick in the teeth.”
Tiriel Lovejoy wrote: “The reasons list shows that whoever wrote those reasons is a complete idiot.
“Saying it will prevent commuter parking while actually selling season ticket passes is totally ridiculous.”
In its statement of reasons, Bristol City Council said: “The introduction of pay-and-display charges will assist in the future management of these parking facilities.
“Contravention of time limits will be readily identified, enforcement will be improved and therefore compliance should improve. This should result in a better turnover of spaces than with the current arrangement.
“Commuters will be prevented from parking for long periods of time to the disadvantage of other motorists.
“This will support local businesses and organisations, whilst helping to deliver key aspects of the council’s parking strategy to deter long-stay commuter parking and to encourage short-stay visitor, retail and leisure use.”
Charges will apply Monday to Sunday from 8am to 6pm at Westbury Village car park along with Beechwood Road (Fishponds), Callington Road (Brislington), Chalks Road (Redfield), Derby Street (Redfield), Ducie Road (Lawrence Hill), Machin Road (Henbury), Repton Road (Brislington), Stoke View (Fishponds), and Waverley Road (Shirehampton).
Businesses and medical centres can apply for a dedicated space at £280 a year.
The council’s statement of reasons notice is here. Responses can be emailed to tro.comments@bristol.gov.uk quoting reference CAE/RGW/P-1337.
