Bath and North East Somerset Council has decided to drop its plan to introduce Saturday parking charges at Keynsham’s Bath Hill East Car Park following concerns from residents and local businesses. The proposed change, aimed at ending free Saturday parking, was withdrawn after feedback highlighted fears it could reduce footfall in the town centre and hurt affordability for visitors.
This was the only proposed parking charge change to be scrapped after the initial consultation, despite receiving the lowest opposition among all suggested changes. In the public consultation, 29% of respondents opposed the plan, 16% supported it, and 54% remained neutral. A council report, using generative AI to analyze responses, identified worries that the charge might deter people from attending Keynsham Farmer’s Market and shopping locally, potentially driving them to alternative destinations such as Longwell Green or Cribbs Causeway.
Meanwhile, other proposed parking changes across the district are still under consideration. The council has launched a new consultation focusing on measures like increased residents’ permit fees for larger vehicles and higher Park & Ride charges for users who park but do not use buses.
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One of the most debated proposals involves adjusting resident parking permit prices based on vehicle size. Approximately half of respondents supported this idea while 44% opposed it. The plan would give owners of smaller vehicles, such as Smart cars, a £20 annual discount while charging an additional £112 for larger vehicles like the biggest Ford Transit models. The council cited safety concerns, noting that bigger vehicles such as SUVs and vans pose greater risks to pedestrians and cyclists due to factors like bonnet height and blind spots.
Other suggested changes include increasing visitor permit costs in Residents Parking Zones over three years, requiring vehicles to have a valid MOT before obtaining permits, and raising charges for using Bath’s Park & Ride facilities without bus rides from £3 to £4.
The consultation remains open until 5pm on 18 June, and the council encourages as many residents as possible to share their views.