Since work began on Radstock's regeneration, the issue of parking has continued to cause problems, both for the people working and living in the town and those trying to rejuvenate it, with residents and employees alike taking to social media to voice their concerns about the lack of parking currently in the town and included in the regeneration plans.
A proposal for parking in Radstock has now been released by B&NES, which will see changes to the two remaining car parks in the town. It is proposed that Church Street car park, near the library building, is to become a limited waiting car park, meaning that there would be a maximum stay of five hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, excluding Bank Holidays, on display of a ticket from a parking machine, with unlimited free parking at all other times. There are similar changes being made to the Waterloo Road car park, with the western side to also become a limited waiting car park, with a maximum four- hour stay within the same time limits using a pay and display machine. The rest of the car park is to provide unlimited free parking at all other times. ,p>These proposals have raised further concerns over the future of parking in Radstock. Around 100 people are employed in the local High Street shops, with an additional 64 people estimated to be working in the town's post office and more working in areas, such as Combe End, that use the town for parking during the day. With maximum parking time restricted to just five hours, it would mean that many of the town's employees working a traditional 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. day, would be unable to use the local parking amenities. While this would free up spaces for those visiting the town, it doesn't make working in Radstock very easy, with employees having to apply for parking permits to be able to drive to work.
Radstock Town Councillor, Eleanor Jackson, met with B&NES officers and was assured that the library car park, on Church Street, would be re-marked and improved, so that an extra twenty spaces were possible. She said: "Negotiations are in the process to give the traders and those who work all day in the centre of Radstock free parking permits. B&NES has also agreed that signage would be improved to make it clear that both The Street and Fortescue Road are open as normal and will remain so, including for parking."
She continues: "The lifeblood of the trade in Radstock is people passing through and realising it is the place to get a cup of coffee, a cake or lunch and customers for the niche shops, you cannot get your hair cut online or buy screws and little DIY items as single purchases, hence the need for parking. I also asked for the disabled spaces to be more accessible, properly marked up and the pavements and lights to be made more user-friendly for the partially sighted and the deaf."
Even with these changes, parking in the town continues to be a source of contention for the traders and the residents and still raises questions about how those working in Radstock will be able to park and where.
Councillor Lesley Mansell, Chair of Radstock Town Council, said: "We have been discussing the need for parking for some time. Unfortunately, this issue was raised too late to be included on the agenda for the Radstock Town Council meeting (which took place on Monday, 19th January), however, we know that it is an issue and what we need is a parking strategy and a consultation."
Full details of the parking proposals suggested by Bath and North East Somerset Council may be inspected at The Hollies, Midsomer Norton, during normal office hours. Objections and representations with respect to the proposal, together with the grounds on which they are made, must be sent by 10th February, either in writing to the Traffic Management Team, who can be reached at the following address: Traffic Management Team, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JG, or by email at: [email protected]">[email protected] quoting the scheme title: Off Street Parking Places (North East Somerset) (Variation No. 2) Order 201 and using the reference: PEV10482/AC.
A representative from B&NES Council said: "The changes are being proposed in order to support local shops and services; the aim is to provide shorter-stay parking places closest to the centre of Radstock for shoppers and visitors to the doctors' surgery / library. The proposals are displayed around Radstock and can be found online (at: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/streets-and-highway-maintenance/roadworks/permanent-traffic-order-notices/pev10482ac-bath">http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/streets-and-highway-maintenance/roadworks/permanent-traffic-order-notices/pev10482ac-bath) and are also available at The Hollies, people are being invited to respond with their views before February 10th. All the parking provided in Radstock by the Council remains free."
Any Radstock or Westfield residents wishing to discuss any problems, like parking, can contact Cllr Eleanor Jackson on 01761 438968 or by email: [email protected]">[email protected] She is normally available from 10.15 a.m. onwards at Radstock Methodist Church Hall on Saturdays, no appointment necessary.