![\"Westbury](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Westbury-Hill-Car-Park.jpg\")
Westbury Hill car park in Westbury-on-Trym, with the GP surgery at the rear (Image: Google Maps)<\/p>\nThe council is consulting on bringing in charges at 10 locationsWestbury Hill car park in Westbury-on-Trym, with the GP surgery at the rear (Image: Google Maps)<\/p>\n
Campaigners are being urged to muster one last stand in the hope of overturning controversial new charges<\/a> at a north Bristol car park.<\/p>\n Bristol City Council<\/a> has launched a public consultation for a formal \u2018traffic regulation order\u2019 (TRO) to introduce pay and display at Westbury Village.<\/p>\n It includes 10 district car parks across the city which are currently free of charge, but the one at Westbury-on-Trym<\/a> has been by far the most contentious because it backs onto a GP surgery and serves two churches, along with many community groups and local shops.<\/p>\n Councillors on the transport and connectivity committee approved the new fees a year ago<\/a> by a vote of 7-2 despite more than 140 objections for the Westbury car park alone.<\/p>\n The first hour will remain free but then motorists will have to pay \u00a31.50 an hour for up to four hours.<\/p>\n The charges were initially proposed by the former Labour<\/a> administration in February 2024 but were deferred by a year in a deal with the Conservatives<\/a>, who have always opposed the plans, to get the annual council budget approved.<\/p>\n In a post on Facebook<\/a>, Westbury & Henleaze Tories said: \u201cThis is a proposal that\u2019s been rumbling on for years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve campaigned against it all that time and managed to get it removed from one budget, but we were outvoted when it came back to the council\u2019s transport committee.\u201d<\/p>\n They said the local authority was consulting on the proposed legal order (TRO) until Friday, December 12, and would have to respond to every comment.<\/p>\n The Conservatives said: \u201cThere are lots of reasons why this proposal is a bad idea and harmful to the village, but at this statutory stage the only points that the council has to take into account are ones that directly relate to their \u2018statement of reasons\u2019<\/a>, ie, showing that the scheme won\u2019t deliver the benefits that they think it will.\u201d<\/p>\n The group said the authority\u2019s argument that there would be a better turnover of spaces was wrong because the amount of time drivers could park would increase from three to four hours.<\/p>\n It said the fees would not prevent commuter parking or make more bays available for shoppers.<\/p>\n The post said: \u201cThe scheme allows businesses and the medical centre (who haven\u2019t asked for it) to apply for permanent parking permits, removing parking that would otherwise be available for shoppers.<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently the main times when there are no spaces available for shoppers are at rare peak shopping times, not during the working day when commuters would be using the car park.\u201d<\/p>\n The Tories also object to the council\u2019s stance that the charges would support local businesses.<\/p>\n They said: \u201cSince the closure of the privately-run Carlton Court car park earlier this year, businesses in the Village have reported a 30 per cent reduction in footfall.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is clear evidence that restricting parking will actively harm local businesses, not support them.\u201d<\/p>\n The replies to the post overwhelmingly condemn the plans.<\/p>\n Rebecca Baker said: \u201cQuite simply, if they get this proposal through it will absolutely put our independent shops, hairdressers and eateries out of business and it will never be revoked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an all-out attack on the high street and local businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n Ali Robertson said: \u201cWe are a village with a high number of elderly residents and that car park is next to a shop, a church and the only doctor\u2019s office in the village.<\/p>\n \u201cTo expect our elderly residents to pay if they wish to go to those places is a kick in the teeth.\u201d<\/p>\n Tiriel Lovejoy wrote: \u201cThe reasons list shows that whoever wrote those reasons is a complete idiot.<\/p>\n \u201cSaying it will prevent commuter parking while actually selling season ticket passes is totally ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n In its statement of reasons, Bristol City Council said: \u201cThe introduction of pay-and-display charges will assist in the future management of these parking facilities.<\/p>\n \u201cContravention of time limits will be readily identified, enforcement will be improved and therefore compliance should improve. This should result in a better turnover of spaces than with the current arrangement.<\/p>\n \u201cCommuters will be prevented from parking for long periods of time to the disadvantage of other motorists.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will support local businesses and organisations, whilst helping to deliver key aspects of the council\u2019s parking strategy to deter long-stay commuter parking and to encourage short-stay visitor, retail and leisure use.\u201d<\/p>\n Charges will apply Monday to Sunday<\/a> from 8am to 6pm at Westbury Village car park along with Beechwood Road (Fishponds), Callington Road (Brislington<\/a>), Chalks Road (Redfield), Derby Street (Redfield), Ducie Road (Lawrence Hill), Machin Road (Henbury), Repton Road (Brislington), Stoke View (Fishponds), and Waverley Road (Shirehampton).<\/p>\n Businesses and medical centres can apply for a dedicated space at \u00a3280 a year.<\/p>\n