Preparatory work is underway in the council-owned car parks where charging is set to be introduced, ahead of the implementation of the scheme, which is expected to come into effect in the spring.
The scheme will include elements of free parking, with the cost of the first hour of a paid-for stop in a short stay space being only 70p.
Disabled Blue Badge holders will be able to park in any space for free, up to four hours and while the scheme will be cashless, contactless pay machines and other easy ways to pay will ensure that drivers with and without a smartphone will be able to use the system simply.
To find out if you are eligible for a Disabled Blue Badge and to apply, visit the council website: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/get-a-blue-badge.
While the scheme will go live later in the year, work to prepare for installation of machines that will accept contactless and chip and pin payments is being carried out now.
In the lead up to the scheme’s launch, updated FAQs and more information about how it will work, as well as a list of the car parks that will be affected, have been published on the council website: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/car-parks-south-gloucestershire.
As preparations are taking place, data is also being collected in the streets surrounding the relevant car parks, allowing the council to have a clear picture of parking trends before the scheme begins. Data will also be collected after implementation, which will help support any changes to parking rules that could be needed in residential areas, if drivers park in dangerous or obstructive ways in other areas to avoid paying in off-street car parks.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place, said: “We will launch the scheme in the spring, but we are keen for people to understand what will actually happen.
“Charges won’t affect every car park in South Gloucestershire, only some of those that the council owns and operates.
“Paying for parking will be relatively cheap. There will be an element of free parking in the affected car parks, with a number of bays available for short stops of up to half an hour for free. Disabled Blue Badge holding drivers will be able to park for free for up to four hours in any space. And we want those who may be eligible for a Blue Badge to check if they can apply for one.
“The first hour of parking in a short stay space will also be only 70p. The charges will apply between 8:00AM and 6:00PM and parking will remain free all day on Sundays and bank holidays.
“Payment will be easy. In addition to an app, the machines we install will allow drivers to use their contactless or chip and pin card in the same way as most of us are used to in shops. For those without smartphones, an automated telephone option will allow users to pay that way.
“I would encourage people who drive in South Gloucestershire to find out whether and how they might be affected by visiting our website. It details which car parks will have the scheme, and how we will roll out the system, which is common in almost every area of the country already.
“Neighbouring councils have charged for parking for many years, and whilst the cost to park in South Gloucestershire will be relatively cheap, it is essential for us to take this action in order to balance our books going forward. While everyone would like to be able to keep having free parking, by charging those who use the car parks, we will be able to prioritise and protect the services that people rely on to keep them safe and healthy.”
