A resident has spoken out against Somerset Council’s proposed introduction of on-street parking charges and Sunday parking fees, warning they will hit residents, traders and visitors in the Burnham-On-Sea area.
Gemma Verdon told a meeting of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council this week that she was “shocked” at Somerset Council’s proposals, which Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here.
“Residents and visitors are shocked at Somerset Council proposing on-street parking charges and Sunday parking,” she said. “They are uncaring about the future of our local economy and our residents.”
She added that Sunday parking charges would also impact motorists and claimed local people are “collectively united against the proposed new charges.”
In Highbridge, Bank Street car park currently charges Monday to Saturday, with all‑day parking costing £4.60. Under the proposed changes, that would rise to £6.80, with charging extended to Sundays for the first time.
Burnham-On-Sea’s main council car parks already charge on Sundays, but increases are also planned. At Oxford Street, all‑day parking would rise from £5.80 to £6.80.
Somerset Council’s own documents classify Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge as a “high” priority for on‑street parking intervention, proposing charges in currently free limited‑waiting areas across the town centre.
The comments come as Somerset Council continues a county-wide review of parking charges, including possible Sunday charging in car parks that are currently free and the introduction of fees in some on-street limited waiting bays.
Council leaders have previously said the aim is to create a more consistent charging system across Somerset after the merger of the former district councils, and to keep the parking service self-funding. Critics, including some in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge, argue the changes risk damaging high streets and visitor numbers.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Highways and Transport, has defended the plans, saying: “This is fundamentally about fairness and consistency across Somerset. As a unitary authority we inherited a range of different practices in different towns. It is only right that all our car parks are part of the same charging structure, where the same rules are applied to everyone.”
“Within the different tiers there is plenty of room to accommodate different types of car park and usage, to reflect the role of each car park in supporting the local economy, including free provision for some of the time, as well as lower tariffs in less premium and more rural areas.”
“Tariffs at the busier end of the spectrum in bigger centres are aimed at encouraging turnover and sustainable travel into Somerset’s towns.”
“We use parking fees and charges to support local economies, help minimise the adverse environmental impacts of traffic and support the operation of the parking service.”
