Clevedon Town Council is mounting a legal challenge against North Somerset Council’s decision to impose parking charges on on-street spaces in several local areas, sparking tension between the local authority and the community.
Earlier in 2024, North Somerset Council voted to implement parking fees in car parks across Clevedon, Nailsea, and Portishead as part of a budget-balancing strategy. However, the introduction of fees on Hill Road’s on-street parking—home to many independent shops—has caused particular alarm among traders and residents.
To address these concerns, Clevedon Town Council has initiated a judicial review to evaluate whether North Somerset Council adhered to proper procedures when issuing the traffic regulation order enforcing the charges. The town council emphasized the importance of lawful and transparent decision-making, stating: “Parking arrangements in Clevedon are vital to both residents and businesses. Our aim is to ensure any measures affecting the town are properly developed and implemented.”
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Discover Clevedon, the business improvement district for the area, expressed deep apprehension over the charges, warning that they could significantly hurt local traders. “Experience from other towns such as Nailsea, Thornbury, and Keynsham—where parking fees have reduced footfall by more than 30%—demonstrates the potential negative impact,” a spokesperson said. Rising costs and shrinking consumer spending have already strained businesses, and further deterrents could be catastrophic.
North Somerset Council, while acknowledging the legal challenge, declined to comment further due to the ongoing nature of the case.
The proposed charges would affect several roads—including Hill Road, Alexandra Road, Bellevue Road, and Gardens Road—which form a distinct, independent shopping district near Clevedon Pier and the seafront. Parking fees are set at £1.50 for one hour, £2.50 for two hours, and £3.50 for three hours maximum. Additional charges are planned for nearby roads adjacent to Salthouse Fields and the marine lake.
In November, a petition with 4,351 signatures opposing the charges was presented at a full council meeting. Hill Road councillor Michael Pryke voiced the concerns of locals: “The charges claim to improve parking turnover, but they are instead likely to increase engine idling as drivers search elsewhere for free parking.”
Many business owners have warned that the introduction of charges threatens the viability of their shops, with some fearing closures if the fees go ahead.