Only residents with permits are allowed to park inside the zones
File image of St Andrews street parking(Image: Dan Regan/BristolLive)
New resident parking zones could soon be created in certain parts of Bristol to restrict where drivers can park their car. Within the zones, residents with a permit can park in their neighbourhoods, preventing commuters who don’t live in the area from parking there instead.
Areas under consideration could be Bishopston, St Andrews, St Werburghs, Ashley Down, Totterdown, Windmill Hill and Bedminster. These were initially planned as part of the original scheme, but never rolled out. Totterdown for example still suffers with commuter parking.
Resident parking schemes were first introduced in Bristol over a decade ago. They aim to stop people who work in the city centre from parking in neighbourhoods nearby. An update on the plans will be given to councillors on the transport policy committee on Thursday, May 15.
A committee report said: “Residents parking schemes have been in place across parts of Bristol for over 10 years. Since the initial batch of schemes were implemented no further schemes have been delivered aside from minor stand-alone schemes or small extensions for specific purposes.
“Residents parking schemes aim to reduce car use by restricting parking options for commuter traffic. They are focused on areas around the city centre where commuters may seek to drive in from further afield and park before continuing to their place of work or other destinations such as shopping and leisure.”
New parking zones are being considered under the wider South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood project. More details of this are expected next month, when the council consults the public on a range of measures, which could include turning some rat runs into cul-de-sacs, to stop traffic driving through residential areas. A similar project has been rolled out in the east of the city.
Other neighbourhoods under consideration include areas to the east of Easton Way and St Phillips Causeway, around Southmead Hospital, the Downs and the new Brabazon Arena. Factors include being close to a “major trip generator” or the city centre, and whether there is local demand. Areas just outside existing zones could also be considered too.
Parking pressures are soon expected to hit neighbourhoods near the Downs and the arena site. Charges have long been planned for people visiting the Downs, while the arena is due to finally open in 2028. Both of these could lead to drivers parking on nearby residential roads.