The Larkhall Traders’ Group have produced a detailed report outlining their strong opposition to the proposed Lambridge Residents’ Parking Zone (RPZ) – and say it’s time the council revives a Park & Ride plan for the east of Bath.
Photo © Larkhall Butchers
The group says extensive survey findings from more than 700 respondents show an “overwhelming” majority of local residents, traders, and visitors believe the RPZ would damage the village economy, worsen accessibility, and fail to solve existing parking issues.
A total of 84.2% of respondents stated that the RPZ proposed by Bath & North East Somerset Council would make life in Larkhall worse, with just 5.1% believing it would improve the area, and 10.7% unsure.
The report includes findings from 45 businesses. One in four say their business model would become unviable.
The report highlights that Larkhall is the only substantial commercial and service centre on the east side of Bath, drawing customers from surrounding villages and rural areas who rely on it for everyday essentials; 65% of respondents said they use a car to travel to Larkhall, while only 1% use the bus and 14% travel on foot.
There are no large car parks on that side of the city, so parking on the village streets is the only practical means of supporting not only its own economy, but shops outside the proposed RPZ.
A statement from the senior branch manager at estate agent Allen & Harris warns that if parking restrictions are introduced and local businesses have to close as a result of a decrease in footfall, the Larkhall area’s standing as one of Bath’s most sought-after villages could lose that status, and there could be a decrease in demand for properties in Larkhall, possibly leading to house prices dipping.
The nationally recognised Rondo theatre in the village relies entirely on flexible nearby on-street parking and says daytime events would become economically unviable.
Also highlighted is that the owner of Flowers of Bath moved to Larkhall because an RPZ at Belvedere made their old spot impossible, and those premises are still empty, five years later.
The report calls for the full withdrawal of the RPZ proposal. The traders’ group say the development of an east-side Park & Ride facility is “the only credible, long-term solution to commuter displacement and congestion on the eastern approaches to Bath”.
That would shift long-stay vehicles out of the Larkhall community altogether, easing pressure without restricting access for residents, customers or carers.
They also call for improved bus frequency, reliability, and affordability, providing residents and visitors with a practical, low-emission alternative to car use.
They highlight that the proposed RPZ “disproportionately affects” vulnerable groups and no equality impact assessment has been published by the council.
Rather than expanding the RPZ into new areas, they say the council should commission a focused review of the outer streets within the existing Camden and Walcot zones, where commuter displacement into Lambridge has originated.
If residents in those areas wish to return to open parking, this should be treated as a “legitimate and democratic option”.
