A Bath Centric Council trying to manage Midsomer Norton without any understanding of our town, with another hugely damaging plan to introduce parking charges. 

The claim that our High Street is comparable with Keynsham and therefore should have parking charges is frankly ridiculous. In Keynsham during the past 10 years BANES have spent £28 million on a Civic Centre, millions more converting Council buildings to 96 apartments and of course High Street road improvements, by comparison nothing spent on Midsomer Norton High Street.

In Bath the Lib Dem spending has included £10 million on security barriers, £7 million on buying an Old Post office and more than £2 million on a feasibility study for the Milsom quarter. 

In summary tens of millions have been spent in Keynsham and Bath to improve footfall and encourage shoppers, Midsomer Norton has been completely neglected. 

The proposal is to introduce emission-based charges using the climate emergency to justify additional financial burden to the poorest in our society those who rely on a car but can not afford a newer or electric vehicle. 

Cars are a necessity, not a luxury in our area and residents need access to our high street for essential services such as banks, pharmacies, libraries, Council services, professional services and to support local shops. 

Parking charges will be hugely detrimental to our High Street economy and encourage more out of town shopping at Tesco and beyond.

Last week I attended the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel and voiced strongly our objections but was disappointed to hear Cllr Michael Auton speak in favour of charges. As local Councillors we are elected to represent the views and needs of Midsomer Norton residents, not those of the Lib Dem Party or Cabinet, his suggestion of compromising by limiting free parking to two hours is the thin end of the wedge. Once the pay machines are installed it’s only a matter of time before B&NES scrap free parking in Midsomer Norton all together so compromise is neither viable or acceptable.

In the coming weeks I will be speaking at the following Scrutiny Panel, Cabinet and Full Council meeting to speak against these charges: 

23rd January 2024 - Corporate Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel,

8th February 2024 – Cabinet meeting,

20th February 2024 – Full Council meeting.

If you wish to speak at any of these meetings please let me know and I’ll explain how to register, sadly the public consultation has closed, I have complained about holding a short consultation during the Christmas holidays and can confirm that objections can be sent via email to: [email protected].

I will be arranging a residents meeting shortly.