North Somerset Council has reversed its plan to introduce on-street parking charges in Clevedon, following a threatened legal challenge by Clevedon Town Council. The proposed charges would have affected key shopping streets including Hill Road and Alexandra Road, sparking concern from local independent businesses.
Clevedon Town Council initiated judicial review proceedings last month in response to the scheme, questioning its impact on the community. In light of this, North Somerset Council’s cabinet member Mark Canniford announced the withdrawal of the charges. “North Somerset is a listening council and we are committed to working with our towns to ensure that our approach to parking is suitable and sustainable,” he stated.
Local business owners welcomed the decision. David Sims, owner of the Hill Road bookshop ‘Books on the Hill’ and a vocal campaigner against the charges, expressed relief. “Hill Road is a little gem. It’s not easy even now and this just means the environment and the community can keep going and hopefully thrive,” he said.
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Hill Road and Alexandra Road, known for their independent shops and seaside proximity, are distinct from Clevedon’s main town centre and lack dedicated car parks—a factor highlighted by Mr. Canniford as central to the decision. He emphasized the council’s priority to support the local economy amid challenging financial circumstances, saying, “In the current economic climate, it is particularly important that our approach supports the local economy and maintains access to growth.”
While the council did not publicly acknowledge the judicial review as a reason for dropping the charges, Council Leader Mike Bell had previously warned that a court battle between the councils would be a “scandalous waste of public money.” Bell had initially justified the parking charges by citing financial pressures, including an 8.99% council tax increase due to rising social care costs and reduced government funding. At the time, he remarked, “We cannot justify subsidising parking when we are having to cut care services for vulnerable adults and children.”
Following the reversal, parking charges will no longer apply to Hill Road, Alexandra Road, Bellevue Road, and Gardens Road. However, charges will still be implemented on Elton Road and Old Church Road, key parking areas near Salthouse Fields and Marine Lake. Additionally, the council plans to proceed with charging for council car parks later this summer.