Work to start on two more residents’ parking zones in Bath

Two residents’ parking zones in Bath are set to go live from 31 July, following extensive public consultation.

The zones will be introduced in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland, and Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road areas of Bath.

The aim of the zones is to tackle anti-social driving and commuter parking in residential streets and improve people’s health and local environment as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.

The zones also support wider council policies that aim to reduce vehicle emissions and congestion and ensure fair consideration and equitable street space is given to those that would prefer to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle short trips. This includes the council’s response to the climate and ecological emergencies in its Journey to Net Zero plan.

Works to install the Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road zone are scheduled from Monday 12 June to Tuesday 20 June. This will include temporary road closures and parking suspensions to allow for the painting of new road markings and erection of signage.

New signage and lines are scheduled to be installed in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland area from Wednesday 21 June to Friday 28 July.

In both areas, residents will not need a permit to park in the zones until the official launch date on 31 July, but are welcome to apply for their permits from 3 July. Letters with details about the zones and their installation are being posted to all residents in the zones. Details can be found on the council website here.

Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We are serious about tackling congestion, air pollution and our climate emergency and the zones help to address these important issues. Earlier this year we successfully installed five residents’ parking zones and these two are the next phase. The seven zones, which were proposed by ward councillors on behalf of their communities, are part of our wider Liveable Neighbourhoods programme."

“In deciding to go ahead with the schemes we listened and talked with residents, businesses and organisations. Many residents said they found it challenging to park near their homes because of commuter parking, but businesses have raised concerns about the impact of the final design on trade. We are working with the Oldfield Park Community Alliance and Genesis Trust about how we can mitigate any potential impacts, using this information to inform any future reviews of the schemes.
“I recognise the changes may affect other areas and I want to remind people that they can request their own RPZs, via ward councillors, if they are witnessing significant parking pressures from commuters and other users.”

The zones follow extensive consultation. Residents were initially invited to share their views on the proposals during informal public consultations in autumn 2021 and spring 2022. There was further opportunity to comment on plans revised in the light of that feedback received during formal consultations in June and Autumn 2022.

Under the new RPZ policy, the annual permit cost can vary depending on your vehicle’s emissions but, as a guide, a permit for an average eight-year-old 1.6L petrol or diesel family car would normally cost in the range of £100 to £125 per year. Permits for smaller, newer cars would typically be less. Residents can also purchase visitor permits regardless of whether they own a permit themselves.

To help manage the costs of permits, and to ensure that money is not wasted when permits are not required, permits can now be purchased in durations of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

The proposed RPZs and single yellow lines will operate between 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week, not including bank holidays. Double yellow and disabled parking bays operate at all times, unless a sign indicates otherwise. Blue badge holders can park in any permit holders bay for as long as they require across Bath and North East Somerset.

Permits are limited to two permits per property. Properties with one off-street parking space are limited to one permit, and properties with two off-street spaces are not eligible for permits.

Application for permits via MiPermit will open from 3 July for both areas. More information on eligibility, the cost of permits (according to vehicle emissions) and how to apply is available here.

Residents seeking further information, or information in another format such as easy-read, Braille, or in another language, can email LNPilots@bathnes.gov.uk or call an advisor on +44 (0)1225394025. Those unable to access the internet can visit Bathnes Libraries and Information and Advice Services for support.