Parking meters have been installed in two Radstock car parks this week ahead of new restrictions that will limit the maximum stay in some spaces to four or five hours, while still allowing people to park for free.
The Waterloo Road and Church Street car parks will remain free for all users, but it is hoped the new restrictions will support local businesses by improving access for shoppers and visitors with a more regular turnover of spaces.
The new restrictions will come into force later this month and are being brought in to coincide with the expansion work to Church Street Car Park, which has seen the number of spaces increase by 21 to 89.
Councillor Anthony Clarke (Conservative, Lansdown), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We are committed to supporting the local economy and local businesses so we are doing all that we can to ensure that shoppers and visitors to Radstock can find a free parking space easily.
“We have worked closely with local traders to determine the parking needs in Radstock and these new restrictions combined with more free spaces at Church Street Car Park will allow more people to enjoy the town and its businesses with a more regular turnover of spaces.”
The new restrictions are as follows:
Church Street Car Park
- Hours of operation – Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6pm, excluding bank holidays.
- Maximum five hour stay on display of a free ticket from a pay and display machine.
- No return within one hour.
- Free unlimited parking at all other times.
Waterloo Road Car Park
- Hours of operation – Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6pm, excluding bank holidays.
- Maximum four hour stay in green bays on display of a free ticket from a pay and display machine.
- No return within one hour.
- Free unlimited parking at all other times within green bays.
- White parking bays are uncontrolled and provide free unlimited parking at all times.
The date that the new restrictions will come into force is being finalised and will be announced in due course.
New signs will be installed throughout both car parks to alert users to the introduction of these new restrictions.