Carlton Street Car Park in Weston-super-Mare is at risk of structural failure if too many electric vehicles (EVs) occupy its currently closed upper levels. North Somerset Council, tied into a lease until 2058, refers to the arrangement as “the worst deal any council has ever signed,” as reported by council leader Mike Bell.
The council faced a loss of £250,000 on the car park in the 2024/25 financial year. The upper floors have been closed since 2023 due to persistent lift failures caused by water damage—rainwater from the sloped upper deck seeped into the lift shafts. More severe is the issue that the car park’s construction cannot sustain the heavier weight of electric vehicles, which are roughly one third heavier than traditional petrol and diesel cars.
Senior technical manager Stephen Matthews issued a stark warning to councillors: “There are points in the building where if we had four electric vehicles parked next to each other, it could start to collapse.”
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During an update to the council’s Corporate, Assets, Transport, and Environmental Services (CATES) scrutiny committee, Matthews outlined potential remedies. Officers recommended a £2.6 million repair to reopen limited upper floor parking, restricting the number of vehicles to prevent overloading by EVs. A complete ban on electric cars was deemed impractical.
The budget for repair work was approved in the council’s capital expenditure plan. Projections suggest these repairs could reduce losses to £169,000 annually, with hopes to further decrease the deficit through “value engineering.”
Alternatives being considered include permanently closing the upper floors—resulting in a £71,000 annual shortfall—or fully shuttering the car park. The latter would still incur rent payments, leading to a £473,000 annual loss. Demolition and reconstruction present the highest cost option, with a £14.7 million price tag and an estimated £1.17 million yearly shortfall. Matthews cautioned councillors these deficits could continue for at least the next 31 years.
The council signed a 45-year lease in 2012, with an option to assume ownership in the lease’s final year—potentially ending losses in the late 2050s. However, since the car park was built for a 45-year lifespan, its usability beyond that point is questionable.
Mark Canniford, cabinet member responsible for car parking, acknowledged the lack of a “great option” for resolving the predicament, labeling it “the worst deal of the century in this district.” Labour councillor Helen Thornton humorously suggested demolishing the car park entirely but was reminded rent obligations would continue even if the structure were destroyed.
The council owns the freehold land but leases the car park from holders of a 200-year lease. Investigations by legal and construction experts found no grounds to sue the developer, contractor, or surveyor involved, leaving the council with limited recourse.
Council leader Mike Bell expressed regret over the original agreement, stating it was a harmful deal for both taxpayers and the local authority.