Last weekend, businesses across the Somer Valley overwhelmingly backed a letter by Councillor Grant Johnson to the Leader of B&NES Council, Cllr Kevin Guy, calling on him to drop the proposed introduction of car parking charges in Midsomer Norton and

Radstock. It comes from growing criticism from local Councillors, who raised the issue identified in an appendix of the Council budget for 22/23 at Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels.

In the letter, Councillor Johnson outlines his

objections, stating: “We understand that the budget setting process is never an easy one and difficult decisions need to be made, but we strongly believe this proposal will have a negative impact on local businesses and add even more cost onto residents, who are already struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“Our High Streets were fighting to survive during lockdown, so to introduce these charges now would have a catastrophic effect on the Somer Valley by disincentivising residents from shopping locally.

“We believe that the Council should be supporting our High Streets by actively investing in and promoting their renewal – not accelerating their decline.”

He also countered claims made by Cllr Richard Samuel at a recent meeting of the Climate Emergency and Sustainability PDS Panel. “The Lib Dem Cabinet member for resources argued recently that the charges would be ‘modest’ and that there is a problem with individuals ‘parking all day’, but we do not share this analysis and can only predict a greater loss in footfall.

“There has never been an issue with parking availability in either Midsomer Norton or Radstock, which is one of the reasons our High Street has remained successful, so this argument just doesn’t stack up.”

So far, 49 businesses have endorsed the letter with many worried what parking charges will do to the local economy. There was also concern that those that work on the High Street wouldn’t be able to afford to park during their shift, as many aren’t within walking or cycling distance.

Along with the letter, Cllr Johnson has also started an online petition for residents to sign, which has already gained over 850 signatures in less than a week.

Residents have happily been giving their reasons for signing by commenting on the Change.org site. One argued: “It’s unfair to make the struggling population of a struggling town pay to park, when times are tough, money is tight, why charge us? We pay through the roof on Council tax as it is.” While another said, “It’s another nail in the coffin for the local High Streets.”

Councillors across opposition parties have been speaking out about the plans by the Lib Dem authority all week – who now say they will consult on the proposals later this year, having been pulled up on claims that a consultation had already taken place – but it would seem that is not the case specifically with regard to charges for both towns.

Cllr Paul Myers, Independent, Midsomer Norton Redfield, told The Journal: “I am appalled that the current B&NES administration are seeking to introduce parking charges in Midsomer Norton by the back door. Whatever happened to the commitment to consult with local people – set out in the Community Engagement Charter? I really thought they would have learned their lesson by now following the previous failed attempts to impose charging.

“I am demanding a full and open consultation on the proposals to allow local residents and businesses to have their say and put a stop to this damaging policy.”

Midsomer Norton’s

Conservative Councillors have also had something to say on the proposals.

Cllr Michael Evans, (Midsomer Norton North), said: “High Streets around the country have suffered as a result of parking charges being imposed, with shoppers forced to head to out-of-town locations and to rely more heavily on online trade. If shopping dies in Midsomer Norton, the food outlets will follow and the town will lose its community life.

“I urge the administration to observe the strength of feeling locally over this issue and do the right thing and bin these damaging proposals once and for all.”

Readers may remember a shopping survey run as a collaborative project between the Somer Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Journal and Cognisant Research in 2016 to try and understand more about local shopping habits in Midsomer Norton’s High Street. Variety of shops came top of wants, followed by good customer service and ample car parking in the top three. B&NES Council have also recently been under fire for including part of South Road Car Park in its Local Plan update as a possible site for housing, as it hopes to get more people out of their cars and travelling sustainably.

Cllr Chris Watt, B&NES Conservative Councillor for Midsomer Norton Redfield, said: “This latest cynical ploy by the B&NES Lib Dem administration to impose parking charges makes no attempt to hide their primary motivation – to raise money for schemes in Bath.

“As the shopper survey carried out in 2016 clearly showed, free parking in the town is a key factor maintaining footfall. There is no consideration for what these proposed charges will mean for an already struggling Midsomer Norton High Street and hospitality sector, nor the impact on those who work there.

“Throughout the pandemic, Midsomer Norton has not had the same support as Bath, with our leisure centre being denied the same financial support as those in Bath. This budget proposal now attempts to get our community to pay more and pick up the bill.”

Residents and Councillors met at Midsomer Norton’s South Road car park on Saturday to show their support for the campaign, with many angry at the lack of consultation.

Cllr Johnson hopes to present his petition to a meeting of Council in the hope that the proposals are withdrawn. There will also be further budget scrutiny taking place at a public meeting on Monday, 31st January via Zoom.

Details of where you can sign the petition can be found following this web address: https://chng.it/z4yzNDXY