'Attack on the high street' Call to fight parking charges plans

CAMPAIGNERS are being urged to muster one last stand in the hope of overturning controversial new charges at a north Bristol car park.

- Adam POSTANS

Bristol City Council has launched a public consultation for a formal 'traffic regulation order' (TRO) to introduce pay and display at Westbury Village.

It includes 10 district car parks across the city which are currently free of charge, but the one at Westbury-on-Trym 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.

Councillors on the transport and connectivity committee approved the new fees a year ago by a vote of 7-2 despite more than 140 objections for the Westbury car park alone.

The first hour will remain free but then motorists will have to pay £1.50 an hour for up to four hours.

The charges were initially proposed by the former Labour administration in February 2024 but were deferred by a year in a deal with the Conservatives, who have always opposed the plans, to get the annual council budget approved.

In a post on Facebook, Westbury & Henleaze Tories said: "This is a proposal that’s been rumbling on for years.