Changes to the cost of parking in B&NES Council car parks are set to come into effect from August 13th.

New fees, which include a residents’ ten per cent parking discount, start next Monday. Sunday on-street parking remains free of charge and Park and Ride prices will not increase.

The changes are being made as part of a package of measures by Bath and North East Somerset Council to tackle and improve air pollution and encourage more people to use Bath’s Park and Rides or other public transport.

New charges will see the cost of long-stay parking increase, however, in order to support local shops and traders, any resident parking for three hours or less in one of the Council’s car parks will see the cost of parking either reduced or staying broadly the same.

Councillor Mark Shelford (Conservative, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We want to see more people using the Park and Ride or public transport, rather than driving into Bath centre to park, and we are encouraging everyone to walk or cycle for shorter journeys whenever they can.

“However, as part of our commitment to put residents first and to support local business, we have introduced the Residents’ Parking Saver, which gives a ten per cent discount. This can be activated when residents sign up for our MiPermit cashless system.”

In Keynsham the cost of parking for up to three hours is not changing and the existing free parking in local community car parks across the area remains the same.

Any revenue the council raises from parking charges is used to support investment in local transport initiatives, such as Safer Routes to School schemes, as well as action to reduce traffic and tackle air pollution and to cover the cost of enforcement. Visit: ww.wanttopark.com/bathnes