Two new residents’ parking zones are set to come into force, with one of them beginning later than previously estimated.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has said the zones in Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road will be enforced from the end of July, and Oldfield Park and Westmoreland at the end of August.
Work to install both zones has been under way since June.
From 31st July, residents in Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road will need a permit to park in the area.
The Oldfield Park and Westmoreland zone will start on Tuesday 29th August instead of the estimated start date of 31st July.
Restrictions will not be enforced until 29th August despite most of the bays, posts and signs being installed. Letters have been sent to residents explaining the scheme.
The aim of the zones is to tackle anti-social driving and commuter parking in residential streets and improve people’s health and the local environment.
The zones also support wider policies by the local authority that aim to reduce vehicle emissions and congestion and ensure fair consideration and equitable street space is given to those that would prefer to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle short trips.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “Residents in Walcot, Snowhill and Claremont Road will have their zone ‘switched on’ from July 31 and, as with other areas, they should start to see parking improvements in their neighbourhood.
“In Oldfield Park and Westmoreland, the zone will become effective from August 29. This is because of an amendment, which requires an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, to include more short-stay bays for visitors who are not eligible to purchase a residents’ parking permit.
“We have written to all residents affected and are currently looking at where the short-stay bays should be placed to ensure there is a balance of provision.
“We have met and are working closely with the community, to ensure that scarce parking space is allocated fairly and proportionately, prioritising those that live here but also ensuring visitors have the allocation they need to continue to support this vibrant area.
“We also want to reassure residents that the zone will be in place before the start of the new academic year, when many students will take up residence.
“Like other homes, if eligible, permits will be restricted to two per household and this will help to further reduce congestion in the area.”
Five other zones have already been installed to stop commuter parking from blocking parking spaces for the day.
Under the new RPZ policy, the annual permit cost can vary depending on your vehicle’s emissions but, as a guide, a permit for an average eight-year-old 1.6L petrol or diesel family car would normally cost in the range of £100 to £125 per year.
Permits for smaller, newer cars would typically be less. Residents can also purchase visitor permits regardless of whether they own a permit themselves.
To help manage the costs of permits, and to ensure that money is not wasted when permits are not required, permits can now be purchased in durations of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.
The proposed RPZs and single yellow lines will operate between 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week, not including bank holidays.
Double yellow and disabled parking bays operate at all times, unless a sign indicates otherwise. Blue badge holders can park in any permit holder bay for as long as they require across Bath and North East Somerset.
Permits are limited to two permits per property. Properties with one off-street parking space are limited to one permit, and properties with two off-street spaces are not eligible for permits.
Residents in Oldfield Park and Westmoreland are being advised that if they have already purchased a permit for the expected start date of 31st July, they will not lose any money.
Their permits will automatically start from 29th August for the duration purchased (i.e., 1, 3, 6 or 12 months).
