One of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s car parks in Keynsham will reportedly close at the end of March.
The Ashton Way East car park
Councillor Alan Hale, Independent ward councillor for Keynsham South, says the reason for the impending loss of Ashton Way East car park is that the landowner has put the rent up so high that it would make it “commercially unviable” for the council to carry on running it.
The car park has a maximum stay of four hours. Charges apply Monday to Saturday, and it is free to park there on Sundays.
Councillor Hale, who made the announcement on Facebook on Friday, 13th March, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council leases the small third-party-owned car park at Ashton Way East behind Costa on the slope, which provides fewer than 30 short-stay spaces and contributes only marginally to the town centre’s overall parking capacity, less than 5%.
“The landowner is seeking to substantially increase the annual rent, with indications that competing interest from a private parking operator may drive this higher.
“The council is unable to support the proposed significant price rise, as it would make the site commercially unviable and a net financial liability to the council.”
As a result, the landowner has requested that the council vacates the site by the end of 31st March, said Councillor Hale.
“The council is in the process of making arrangements for this as we will no longer have control of the site from 1st April.
“The council will ensure that suitable information is provided on site in advance of this date, including proactive messaging via social media. The town council will also be made aware.”
He added: “If a private parking company takes over the management of the site, then enforcement is likely to be very strict, as it will be in the commercial interest of the company, and of course, wheel clamps might also come into play with release fees.”
The main Ashton Road car park on the other side of the road has more than 200 spaces.
Councillor Joel Hirst, cabinet member for sustainable transport strategy at B&NES Council, said: “From 1st April the council is not operating the 30-space Ashton Way East short?stay car park in Keynsham, which is owned by a private landlord.
“We’re reminding drivers that more than 680 spaces remain available across the seven council?run car parks in the town, including 30 minutes’ free parking in the green bays at Ashton Way car park opposite.
“Signage will go up on the car park nearer the time and you can find more details about council-run car parks on our website.”
