'Worst possible time' for parking charge increase

An independent shop owner says plans to introduce new parking charges in December would be the "worst possible time".

Somerset Council is considering new Sunday parking fees and sharp rises to weekday tariffs in some car parks, with a decision expected on the 23 September.

Susie Thomas, who owns Rocket and Bird in Taunton, said she believed the proposals were about "making more money and not about making it fair throughout the county".

Councillor Richard Wilkins, who oversees highways and transport at Somerset Council, said said the proposals were aimed at creating a "fair and consistent" parking system across the county and fees would be used to "support local economies".

Thomas posted on social media about the changes and said locals responded "strongly", adding "they're going to boycott the town" if the changes happen.

The council says the changes are scheduled to come into effect in December, with some car parks with existing tariffs to change to a new tier system.

The plan sets out five tiers, from tier one for central, high‑demand sites through to tier five, which covers seasonal locations, minibus areas and electric vehicle hubs.

Some car parks will see steep increases, with Boden Street in Chard's all‑day rate rising from £3.20 to £8.90. But others will become cheaper - Box Factory in Yeovil would see its day rate fall from £14.20 to £8.90.

Thomas said she did not feel businesses had been considered, noting they already face "business rates, national insurance, all the endless things that are put against businesses".

"Some small businesses rely on Christmas," she added. "If you don't have a good Christmas, you simply can't open for the following year."

Conservative councillors have urged Somerset Council to rethink its parking overhaul, arguing that introducing new charges and extending on‑street fees lacks community support.

Wilkins said Somerset Council had inherited "a range of different practices in different towns" when it became a unitary council and that it was "only right that all our car parks are part of the same charging structure, where the same rules are applied to everyone".

He added that higher tariffs in larger centres were intended to "encourage turnover and sustainable travel into Somerset's towns".

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said the local authority would process the feedback it had received since announcing the plans, which would "help inform the final recommendations" made to councillors.

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