The controversial plans by Somerset Councils Lib Dems to help plug their budget gap by introducing overnight and sunday charges, standardising parking fees and introducing extra charges in places currentyl free went to Executive Committee today with an amendment. Cllr Richard Wilkins (Lead member for the appropriately named ‘Transport and Waste’) suggested removing the overnight charges as a compromise to the cross party clamour against his proposals. The Lib Dem Executive voted to support him and as the decision was delegated to the Executive it is now seen as final. Labour members have criticised the decision and will take a motion through Bridgater Town Council calling for devolution of parking services to allow for local and variable control of fees and hours.
In Bridgwater the reaction was swift and remained critical.
Mayor of Bridgwater Cllr Jacqui Solomon (Labour, Eastover) said “These proposals are still going to have numerous issues. How can the whole county be fair and standardised!? So many different sized towns with their particular requirements for parking. Some are currently free, some have small payments so how it will be fair to treat Axbridge like Taunton or Crewkerne with Yeovil. These small towns rely on local support to sustain their businesses. Where is the line to be drawn between towns and villages that have car parks? Sunday payment is a further problem which will push people to out of town shopping centres where they can park for free. On street parking is another issue, the provision of parking meters for every bay in our towns is going to present a massive challenge and certainly won’t be achieved in a hurry leading to further inequalities whilst it is rolled out. This seems a poorly thought through proposal which leaves more questions than answers. “
‘Act of Bad Faith’
Town Council Transport spokesman Cllr Tim Mander (Labour, Westover) agreed saying “Whilst I welcome the decision to not impose overnight charges, I am disappointed to hear of the introduction of Sunday charges and that the loss of free disabled parking will now apply to Bridgwater car parks. Having spent a number of years working as part of the Northgate Yard project team one of the selling points made to the potential tenants/occupants was the free Sunday parking. The reversal of this policy will I believe be seen as an act of bad faith by Somerset Council. It is clear to me that Bridgwater car parks should now be transferred to Bridgwater Town Council so important decisions like this can be made by the Council closer to the people. “
Hand them back to Towns and Parishes
Bridgwater Town Council Leader and County Councillor for Bridgwater South Cllr Brian Smedley said “This remains an unpopular measure and the Lib Dems are clearly trapped trying to find ways to plug the incredible budget gap they are facing. They’ve been left this crisis by the former Tory Council and it’s ridiculous seeing Tory councillors now pointing fingers at anybody but themselves. Car parking charges is not the way to do it and in fact this should be, as promised, handed back totally to Towns and Parishes who could use them sustainably and set fees as appropriate to their communities and business needs.”