{"id":64804,"date":"2025-05-01T05:01:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T05:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/64804\/"},"modified":"2025-05-01T05:01:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T05:01:11","slug":"new-parking-charges-coming-soon-but-some-see-it-as-a-real-war-on-motorists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/64804\/","title":{"rendered":"New parking charges coming soon but some see it as &#8216;a real war on motorists&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The local authority previously said it was still on track for the launch date of the &#8216;spring&#8217; this year, with the official date being confirmed soon<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_Car-Park-Sign.jpg\" alt=\"As well as an end to free parking, motorists face a price hike at some Bishop's Stortford and Hertford car parks (File picture)\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>As well as an end to free parking, motorists face a price hike at some Bishop&#8217;s Stortford and Hertford car parks (File picture)(Image: Simon Greener\/Reach plc)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">South Gloucestershire motorists are bracing for the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bristolpost.co.uk\/news\/bristol-news\/car-parking-charges-across-22-10141114#comments-wrapper\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">introduction of parking charges <\/a>across 22 council-owned car parks in the coming weeks. The local authority confirmed last year that these charges would be implemented by spring 2025, and it remains on track to meet this timeline. The exact date will be announced soon, with charges going live a few weeks later. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bristolpost.co.uk\/news\/news-opinion\/car-parks-soon-see-parking-10143850#comments-wrapper\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Bristol Live readers<\/a> think the charges will negatively impact the high street.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The new charges will apply from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, with parking remaining free on Sundays and Bank Holidays, excluding Park and Ride and train station car parks. The council has assured that at least 10% of spaces in short-stay car parks will remain free for 30-minute stays.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Motorists will be charged 70p for the first hour in short-stay car parks, \u00a31.30 for up to two hours, \u00a33 for up to three hours, and \u00a35 for up to four hours. Long-stay car parks and spaces will charge \u00a33 for the first four hours, \u00a34 for four-to-six hours, and \u00a35 for stays longer than six hours. Weekly season tickets will be available for \u00a320, monthly tickets for \u00a375, and annual tickets for \u00a3840.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">A six-monthly ticket option will also be available at a cost of \u00a3435. The scheme will operate on a cashless basis, but the authority has assured that contactless pay machines and other convenient payment methods will be in place to ensure ease of use for all drivers, regardless of whether they own a smartphone or not.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Commenter Ezergood asks: \u201cSurely, motorists don\u2019t expect something for nothing. Do they?!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Evening replies: \u201cMotorists pay council tax, road tax, tax on fuel, tax on repairs, tax on insurance. Name one instance where motorists pay nothing!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Sign up to receive daily news updates and breaking news alerts straight to your inbox for free <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3r1T6AI\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">AdvisoryService101 adds: \u201cGosh the outcry from select motorists having to pay for a service they use on a pay as you go basis. What will they demand next? Free coffee and cake?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Jubblyone4 replies: \u201cWhen businesses close down and shops lie empty, it will cost the tax payer more due to lack of income from business rates.. Don&#8217;t let your anti-car bias cloud your judgement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Evening says: \u201c<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bristolpost.co.uk\/all-about\/south-gloucestershire\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">South Gloucestershire<\/a> Council waste millions on unneeded roadworks, unused cycle tracks, inefficiency and the motorists pick up the bill as normal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Ron Young states: \u201cThe council does not have a statutory duty to provide free storage for private property.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Knight2000 points out: \u201cAnd they wonder why nobody visits and the shops are becoming more and more deserted by the minute. Shame, it used to be a great city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Hayden06 thinks: \u201cThis council hates drivers and is doing everything in their power to become car free. If the public transport was better, we wouldn&#8217;t need to drive!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Alex J Mills replies: \u201cIt\u2019s not just Bristol, it&#8217;s happening all over. Remove parking, make it more expensive to park and charges differ depending on vehicle emissions. A real war on motorists. 15 minute cities coming quicker and quicker. The powers that be don&#8217;t want us owning cars.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Evening agrees: \u201cThe rest of the country has high streets that are dying, a great model to follow!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Sparky7 adds: \u201cWell done South Glos council. The retail parks must be rubbing their hands with glee at these proposals. You are definitely not supporting the local high streets!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">How do you feel about increased car parking charges? Are you happy to pay?<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bristolpost.co.uk\/news\/news-opinion\/car-parks-soon-see-parking-10143850#comments-wrapper\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> Have your say in our comments section.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\" alt=\"\"  \/>Bristol Live WhatsApp Breaking News and Top Stories<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bristolpost.co.uk\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Hxr7CSWBXCL07njc8LrfK9\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bristolpost.co.uk\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. 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