North Somerset Council remains confident that its recently implemented parking charges in Clevedon will withstand the upcoming High Court judgment. The controversy began when a local businessman, Daniel Adams, initiated a legal review after the council mistakenly issued an incorrect reference number during the consultation process for introducing parking fees in three town centre car parks. Despite this error, the charges took effect on July 1, ahead of a court hearing scheduled later that month.
Mark Canniford, the council member overseeing parking, expressed confidence, stating, “We do not feel we will lose the case.” He responded to concerns raised by Conservative opposition leader Michael Pryke about why the council proceeded with the charges so close to the court hearing. While the hearing has concluded, the written judgment is expected to be delayed by several months.
Canniford emphasized that the council had sought legal advice confirming that continuing with the charges was justified. He also reassured that the parking equipment purchased would be reused if the case were lost, mitigating financial losses. When questioned about the fate of fees and fines collected during this period, Canniford stated that the council would seek legal counsel should the ruling go against them.
The introduction of parking charges, approved by the council cabinet in 2024, covered Clevedon as well as Nailsea and Portishead. Some council members, like Clevedon West’s Luke Smith, argue the charges are negatively impacting local businesses. Smith remarked, “It’s common knowledge now that at least one business has shut in Nailsea due to parking charges, with many others struggling. Great Western Road East and West car parks in Clevedon are now largely empty.”
In contrast, Canniford reported positive feedback from some residents, particularly in Nailsea, who find the charges to be a “fantastic value for money.”
Daniel Adams self-funded his legal challenge and represented himself at the High Court hearing held at Bristol Civic Justice Centre. Adams highlighted that his objections to the council’s proposals during the consultation were wrongly attributed to a different consultation due to the council’s administrative error. North Somerset Council’s barrister, Timothy Baldwin, acknowledged this breach in administrative duty but maintained that, aside from this, the council complied with regulatory requirements.
This case is not the council’s first legal hurdle regarding parking charges. Plans to introduce on-street parking fees in Clevedon’s Hill Road area were abandoned in April following threats of legal action from Clevedon Town Council. Council leader Mike Bell condemned the prospect of legal battles between councils as “a scandalous waste of public money.”