Somerset Sunday car park charges ‘pushed back’ by council

Proposed Sunday parking charges branded a “big mistake” by shopkeepers have been voted down by councillors.

Charges were due to be introduced at Somerset Council car parks on Sundays in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater, but the plans faced strong opposition during a public consultation, including some concern from shopkeepers and church leaders.

Somerset Council initially proposed changes due to different rates currently applied across the county by previous local authorities.

Councillors had been expected to approve the new charges at a meeting in Taunton, but instead voted to review all parking arrangements across the county next year.

Somerset Council estimated the implementation of the charges across the county would raise £730,000 of additional funding every year.

Despite this, the council said it was not a money-making exercise – rules state that parking cannot be used simply to raise revenue.

Any income from enforcement fines has to be used for transport related initiatives.

Income from car parking tickets can be used for general council spending once all car park costs have been covered.