Proposed On-Street Parking Charges in Clevedon Spark Local Opposition
North Somerset council has proposed introducing on-street parking charges on Hill Road in Clevedon, operating from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. The scheme allows 30 minutes of free parking followed by charges of £1.50 for one hour, £2.50 for two hours, and £3 for three hours. This would replace the current rule which permits two hours of free parking.
Traders in Clevedon have expressed concern that the charges could reduce footfall, negatively impact independent shops, and drive shoppers to alternative locations such as Cribbs Causeway, approximately 15 miles away, or push them towards online shopping. A petition opposing the plans has garnered more than 3,300 signatures.
Clevedon town council, supported by solicitors, is exploring a legal challenge against the proposal. The new charges follow the introduction of similar parking fees in Nailsea during the summer, which local traders said had a detrimental effect on their businesses.
The proposals are being considered by the current Liberal Democrat–independent coalition in North Somerset council. The council defends the plan, stating that the aim is to establish well-managed, self-funding or surplus-generating parking that supports local economies. They also noted that the process included extensive public engagement and that the proposed Hill Road tariff is lower than charges elsewhere.
Hill Road itself is characterized as a hilly, space-constrained street without a car park. It is currently popular with both locals and visitors and is known for proximity to the town's Victorian pier, with on-street two-hour free parking currently in place.
