Open letter slams Thornbury's new parking charges

Councillors, the town’s chamber of trade and police have come together to share their concerns over the scheme which would bring parking fees to the town next spring.

The charges - which are being introduced by South Gloucestershire Council - are due to come into force in council-run parks in the town such as Castle Court, Rock Street and St Mary Street.

The authority says the fees are necessary due to the financial situation faced by the council and could raise more than £800,000 per year.

The Thornbury Town Centre Partnership group has now called for an urgent meeting with officials from SGC.

The group - which also includes the town council and St Mary Shopping Centre - says the fees could potentially cause “irreversible damage” to the town’s economy.

Group spokesperson and Thornbury mayor James Murray said the group were also “extremely disappointed” not to be included in discussions with SGC regarding the scheme’s structure.

Thornbury PCSO Justyna Domalewska - who also signed the letter - has voiced concerns that police do not have the capacity to attend incidents which could potentially arise from the new fees.

Other issues raised include concerns over a rise in potential ‘displacement parking’ - where motorists may park elsewhere to avoid the fees.

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

At the time, a Thornbury Chamber of Commerce survey revealed that 3,000 people were opposed to the scheme.

The protest against the parking fees was held earlier this year in Thornbury

"Irreversible damage"

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

The letter, which was officially sent on Sunday, has also been forwarded to council leader Maggie Tyrrell and Claire Young MP.

It reads: “The proposed parking scheme was discussed at our recent meeting and it was unanimously agreed to strongly oppose the proposed scheme.

“It was noted that all members of the group were extremely disappointed not to be included in discussions regarding the structure of the incoming charges.

“We invite you to attend our next meeting, which can be arranged around your availability, to address these concerns and hopefully form a plan to ensure your budget needs are met without causing potentially irreversible damage to this town’s economy.”

It comes as the authority has announced changes to some of the scheme’s features this week, including modifying the rules on the length of stay and updating prices.

In short stay car parks, the first hour will cost 70p, the second hour will cost £1.30, the third hour will cost £3 and it will cost £5 for stays of up to four hours.

Meanwhile, in long stay car parks, it will cost £3 to stay for the first four hours, £4 for between four to six hours and stays for more than six hours will cost £5.

Also unveiled were changes to the prices of season tickets - which will cost £20 a week, £75 a month, £435 for six months or £840 for a year.

Payments for parking will be cashless using machines on site, using card or contactless, or the MiPermit app.

The full letter submitted to SGC by the Thornbury Town Centre Partnership group  (Image: Submitted)

In response to the open letter, a spokesperson from SGC said: “We have received the letter and we will respond in due course.”

Meanwhile, cabinet member for communities, Sean Rhodes said the fees were important to help ‘balance the books’.

“We know that a majority of people would rather not have to pay for parking here, but as we have set out, the council’s financial situation is incredibly difficult,” he said.

“People expect to pay for parking almost everywhere in the country and the revenue the scheme will generate was assumed in budgets set before the last council election.

“We are now left to find ways to balance the books.

"Charging for off-street parking is one of the last options available to bring in the money we need to help balance our budget.”