Work is set to get underway on two more residents’ parking zones in Bath, with plans for them to go live at the end of July.
The new zones will be introduced in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland, and Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road areas.
The aim is to tackle anti-social driving and commuter parking in residential streets and improve people’s health and the local environment as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s ongoing “Liveable Neighbourhoods” programme.
Works to install the Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road zone are scheduled from Monday 12th June to Tuesday 20th June. This will include temporary road closures and parking suspensions to allow for the painting of new road markings and erection of signage.
New signage and lines are scheduled to be installed in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland area from Wednesday 21st June to Friday 28th July.
In both areas, residents will not need a permit to park in the zones until the official launch date on 31st July, but can apply for permits from 3rd July.
Letters with details about the zones and their installation are being posted to all residents in the zones.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “We are serious about tackling congestion, air pollution and our climate emergency and the zones help to address these important issues.
“Earlier this year we successfully installed five residents’ parking zones and these two are the next phase.
“The seven zones, which were proposed by ward councillors on behalf of their communities, are part of our wider Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.
“In deciding to go ahead with the schemes we listened and talked with residents, businesses and organisations.
“Many residents said they found it challenging to park near their homes because of commuter parking, but businesses have raised concerns about the impact of the final design on trade.
“We are working with the Oldfield Park Community Alliance and Genesis Trust about how we can mitigate any potential impacts, using this information to inform any future reviews of the schemes.
“I recognise the changes may affect other areas and I want to remind people that they can request their own RPZs, via ward councillors, if they are witnessing significant parking pressures from commuters and other users.”
Residents were initially invited to share their views on the proposals during informal public consultations in autumn 2021 and spring 2022.
There was further opportunity to comment on plans revised in the light of that feedback received during formal consultations in June 2022 and autumn 2022.
Under the new RPZ policy, the annual permit cost varies depending on a 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 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 will be in operation at all times, unless a sign indicates otherwise.
Blue badge holders can park in any permit bays for as long as they require across the Bath and North East Somerset area.
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.
Application for permits via MiPermit will open from 3rd July for both areas.
More information on eligibility, the cost of permits and how to apply is available on the council’s website here.
Residents seeking further information, or information in another format such as easy-read, Braille, or in another language, can email [email protected] or call an advisor on 01225 394025.