Certain drivers face £182 parking charge increase in major rule change

Motorists could be set to pay hefty charges under a new change likely to be introduced in just months.

Next week, will decide which will see free parking axed.

The update would see free car parks in Portishead, Clevedon, and Nailsea scrapped.

Instead, drivers will soon have to pay £3.50 to park for the day with locals expected to feel the sting.

just once a week will see owners pay around £14 per month to leave their vehicles.

But, a visit once every seven days over the course of 52 weeks in a year would set owners back a staggering £182.

North Somerset Council claims it faces a "significant financial challenge" in the coming months.

It pointed the finger at reduced government funding and increased service demand with around £30million in savings required.

The Council also stressed there were often "not enough spaces to accommodate demand" in high-demand areas such as the town centre, seafronts and railway stations.

Councillor Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Spatial Planning, Placemaking and the Economy, stressed local residents would benefit from an "improved parking service" if fees were introduced.

He added: "This is a difficult situation created by year-on-year failure of national government to properly fund council services and, in particular, the growing demand and cost of providing care for children and adults.

"Though North Somerset is not alone in the shadow of this national crisis, we cannot underestimate our current circumstances nor allow our financial pressures to grow.

"Without sign of incoming government support, it instead comes down to us to make difficult decisions and take urgent action. This is vital if we are to balance our books and safeguard essential council services."

, charges are expected to hit the Portishead, Clevedon and Road West car parks from February 2025.

Nailsea and Portishead car parks will have fees applied between April and May 2025 before more on-street locations are updated before July 2025.

The updates are expected to bring in just over £1million every year in a major boost to the local authority.

However, more than half the money is predicted to be spent on the upkeep of the car parks as well as borrowing costs of introducing the charges.