New parking fees for Thornbury and Yate to launch next year

South Gloucestershire Council says the charges will officially be launched in 22 car parks across the district next spring.

Charges will apply between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday but will remain free on Sundays and bank holidays.

Affected car parks in Thornbury include Castle Court and Rock Street and in Yate include Kennedy Way and Yate Leisure Centre South.

The fees will be separated into long and short stay charges, with the cheapest a stay of up to one hour for 70p in a short stay parking space.

Meanwhile, the most expensive is a £9 for a day rate in long stay car parks.

According to officials, at least 10 per cent of all spaces in all short stay car parks will be free for up to 30 minutes.

Other areas affected by the new fees include Winterbourne, Filton, Hanham, Kingswood, Mangotsfield, Patchway, Staple Hill, Stoke Gifford and Warmley

The decision to introduce the fees were approved in February, as part of the council’s budget plans. 

It comes as over 1,800 people responded to the council’s consultation on its budget, and almost 70 per cent opposed the new fees.

This figure rose to a massive 93 per cent of people against the charges in Thornbury. 

More than 100 people gathered outside the town’s Turnberrie's Community Centre in February in protest against the charges.

The council says its modelling for the scheme suggests it will generate an annual income of more than £800,000

According to officials, a new validation system will be introduced for some car parks, such as those that primarily serve health facilities, so that people visiting a GP are not charged.

Payments for parking will be cashless. 

Payments will be able to be made using machines on site, using a debit or credit card or contactless, or by using the MiPermit app. 

SGC says not all of the car parks it owns will have charging introduced, and roads near those where charges are brought in will be monitored.

A protest was held in Thornbury against the new fees in February (Image: St Mary Centre / Thornbury Chamber of Commerce / Thornbury Town and District Residents Association )

Short Stay Car Parks

Monday to Saturday (excluding bank holidays), from 8am to 6pm (max stay four hours)

(Free for blue badge holders)

• For up to one hour will be 70p 
• For one to two hours will be £1.50
• For two to three hours will be £3.50
• For three to four hours will be £4.50

Long Stay Car Parks

Monday to Saturday (excluding bank holidays), 

• Up to four hours will be £3 (free for blue badge holders)
• For four to eight hours will be £6 (£3 for blue badge holders)
• The day rate is £9 (£6 for blue badge holders)

Season tickets (for long stay car parks) 

• One week £24 
• One month £90
• One year £1,008

Parking fees are due to be introduced in 22 council-run car parks - including Rock Street in Thornbury (Image: South Gloucestershire Council)

We have "listened carefully" to feedback says council 

Cabinet member for communities Sean Rhodes said: “Having listened carefully to the feedback from local residents and businesses about how car park charging can work, we believe this scheme responds positively to the questions people raised about how we will put it into practice.

“We have always said that an element of free parking would remain, and we will keep ten per cent of short stay spaces free for those short trips we all make. 

“At only 70p for the first hour for longer stays, we strongly believe this will not be a barrier to people getting out and about to visit local shops and other businesses, with parking charges in some neighbouring areas more than three times higher.

“We were also clear that we would not want people being charged to park when they visit their GP, for example. 

“The validation system we are proposing will keep parking free for those important trips. Blue badge holders will continue to be able to park on-street as they do now, and will still be able to use our car parks for up to four hours for free under the new scheme.

“We know that many residents did not want to have to pay car park charges locally. 

“However, the financial situation faced by the council, and the assumptions built into the previous budget by the previous administration, mean that we have had to take this decision.

“We are all used to paying for parking when we drive almost anywhere outside of South Gloucestershire, but I am pleased that we will be able to set charges as low as possible, while still generating important revenue for the council, which will allow us to protect other vital services.”