Somerset Council’s proposal to introduce Sunday car parking charges across the county has sparked strong opposition from community leaders and residents, who warn it could seriously harm struggling town centres.
The council’s consultation, conducted in September and October, aimed to standardize Sunday parking fees, mirroring current weekend rates, and is expected to generate approximately £730,000 annually. These funds are intended to support various frontline services. However, critics argue that the move risks driving customers and visitors away from local high streets, shops, restaurants, and places of worship.
Judith Butler, pastor at Kingdom Faith Church in Taunton, spoke out at the council’s climate and place scrutiny committee meeting on November 19. She highlighted that nearly 93% of consultation respondents opposed the charges, emphasizing how many churchgoers from surrounding areas rely on free Sunday parking to attend services and then shop or dine locally.
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“Our congregation, along with neighboring churches, regularly uses local car parks on Sundays,” Butler explained. “Charging for parking could deter many from staying for lunch or shopping after services, impacting not just worshippers but local businesses as well.”
Butler also warned about the financial strain the charges could place on community programs, such as the church’s baby bank, which costs £425 per month to operate and is funded by church members. She urged the council to consider maintaining free Sunday parking to support both local services and economic vitality.
The proposed charges would set Sunday parking fees equal to current Saturday rates—for example, a £2.60 fee for two hours at the High Street car park used by many church attendees.
Consultation data indicated that 16% of respondents cited attending religious services as their primary reason for Sunday parking, while 80% used car parks for shopping and 61% for leisure activities like visiting theatres.
Several councillors voiced opposition to Sunday charges, highlighting concerns about ignoring public opinion and the potential adverse effect on already vulnerable town centres. Independent Councillor John Hunt questioned the value of the consultation if its results were disregarded, while Conservative Councillor Bob Filmer pointed to existing economic pressures on high streets intensified by online shopping and policies.
Councillor Dave Mansell (Green) highlighted the unfair advantage out-of-town retail parks have, benefiting from free parking, which could further harm Somerset’s town centres. Meanwhile, Councillor John Cook-Woodman (Conservative) described the proposal as an “anti-motorist attack” by a council desperate for revenue.
After debate, the committee voted to recommend against implementing Sunday parking charges. The issue will be revisited by the council’s executive committee on December 3 and the full council on December 17 for a final decision.