Britons may be forced off roads with new parking charge scheme which could see costs double
The new parking measures could generate £620,000 a year
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Drivers could be hammered by new parking prices and see costs skyrocket as a local authority looks to improve air quality and reduce traffic.
Bristol City Council is looking at increasing parking permit costs for residents which could see prices more than double.
The council plans to hike the annual cost of residents' parking permits from £56 to £124 in certain zones across the city.
The move would replace the existing pay and display machines over a five-year rolling programme and is expected to help generate £620,000 for the council every year.
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Permit charges would increase from £56 to £124
PAOfficial council documents stated: "Within the context of Bristol’s Transport Policy, the council needs to consider a range of initiatives to further improve air quality and make more efficient use of on and off street, public car parking spaces.
"The evidence base outlines proposals to make changes to parking charges to keep up with inflation, to rationalise any anomalies and to ensure that the cost of the first Residents’ Parking Permit covers the full cost of current operations.
"The report also notes the need for an integrated approach and recommends setting up a Task and Finish Group to develop and deliver a holistic Parking and Kerbside Strategy."
Other proposed changes announced by the council include the introduction of the workplace parking levy (WPL) which could cost drivers £20 per week.
The tax measure is aimed at reducing the number of vehicles in the city with the costs aimed at deterring vehicles.
Experts have pointed to the success of Nottingham’s scheme which has been operational since 2012 and has raised £83million in revenue so far.
The council explained: “Bristol has a different layout and business distribution to Nottingham, so a different approach is proposed.
“Rather than a lower city-wide charge a higher, smaller central core area scheme is an option for Bristol.”
The central charging zone would be priced at around £20 per week and could generate between £8million and £10million per year. However, the council warned it could cost up to £1million depending on the size and type of measure.
Residents have already shared their disapproval of the proposed tax and parking charges, with one person stating it will have a “massive effect on people”.
The person shared: “They should be putting the buses back into public ownership and then people might start thinking about using public transport.
“It's a wonderful way to get businesses to vacate Bristol as it is being priced out through extra tax levies on the motor vehicle - the family car.”
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The WPL would cost the council around £1million to roll out
GETTYAnother concerned driver warned: “On top of the proposed pay-per-mile scheme, fuel duty and running a second car.
“I might as well swap my job for a minimum wage job near my house because I'd be better off the way the new Government and local councils are penalising you for taking a job further away from your home. My 26 miles in a car would take four hours using public transport.”
The council is set to make a decision on Thursday, September 12, with drivers eagerly waiting to see if new costs will be introduced.