A legal challenge to parking charges introduced by North Somerset Council in Clevedon has been dismissed by the High Court, with the council prevailing despite acknowledged procedural errors.
Daniel Adams, a local businessman and owner of Stationery House, mounted a self-funded challenge against the introduction of parking fees at three town car parks. The charges, which range from £1 to £3.50 depending on duration and location, were implemented following a public consultation. However, during the consultation, the council mistakenly allocated Mr Adams’s objections to a different consultation, thereby not considering them in the decision-making process.
In her ruling, Mrs Justice Steyn DBE acknowledged the error but concluded that the council would have proceeded with the Traffic Regulation Order regardless of Mr Adams’s objections. She stated:
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“I conclude that the council would have implemented the TRO without modification if the two objections submitted by the claimant had been correctly allocated and considered by the council. The procedural failure has caused no substantial prejudice to his interests.”
Mr Adams expressed disappointment over the outcome after months of personal commitment and expense, emphasising that his challenge was motivated by public interest and concern for his community. He criticised the council’s approach to public consultations, warning that the judgement might set a precedent allowing local authorities to treat such exercises as mere formalities rather than meaningful opportunities for community input. Furthermore, he voiced concerns about the council’s broader parking policy, describing it as short-sighted and lacking due consideration of its impact on Clevedon.
The businessman also revealed that he faces substantial legal costs pursued by the council as a result of the challenge.
Councillors have voiced varying opinions on the parking charges since their introduction. At a recent council meeting, Clevedon West councillor Luke Smith described the charges as “largely failing,” while his colleague Michael Pryke questioned the decision to proceed with enforcement before the legal challenge concluded. Nonetheless, Cabinet Member Mark Canniford maintained confidence in the council’s legal position.
This legal dispute is part of a broader context of parking policy changes in Clevedon. The council had earlier planned to introduce on-street parking charges in Hill Road and surrounding areas but withdrew these plans following legal threats from Clevedon Town Council, with council leaders considering potential court action against each other a waste of public funds.
In 2024, North Somerset Council decided to implement parking charges across Clevedon, Nailsea, and Portishead, citing the need to secure financial stability and protect essential services.
Mrs Justice Steyn DBE, who delivered the ruling, is also known for presiding over the high-profile ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel trial in 2022.