Ilminster parking charges set for overhaul under new scheme

Drivers in Ilminster could face some of the largest parking charge increases in Somerset under plans to introduce a new county-wide tariff system.

Somerset Council is proposing to move all three of the town's pay-and-display car parks, Orchard Vale, Shudrick Lane and West Street, into a Tier 3 charging band, bringing them into line with parking charges elsewhere in the county.

Under the proposed tariff, motorists would pay £1.30 for one hour, £2.10 for two hours, £3.50 for up to four hours and £6.80 all day where applicable.

The changes would represent a significant increase on current charges at all three car parks.

At Orchard Vale and West Street, drivers currently pay 80p for one hour, £1 for two hours and £2 for all-day parking.

If the proposals are approved, the one-hour charge would increase by 50p, while the all-day tariff would jump from £2 to £6.80, an increase of £4.80.

Shudrick Lane would see similar rises.

The current tariffs of 80p for one hour, £1 for two hours, £1.50 for four hours and £2 for all-day parking would be replaced by the standard Tier 3 rates.

The proposed all-day charge is more than three times the current cost.

The biggest impact would be felt by long-stay users, with all-day parking increasing from £2 to £6.80 at Orchard Vale and Shudrick Lane.

Meanwhile, motorists making shorter visits would also face substantial rises, with the one-hour charge increasing by more than 60% and the two-hour tariff more than doubling.

Unlike some larger Somerset towns, where a mix of charging tiers is being proposed, all of Ilminster's council-run car parks would fall into the same category, meaning drivers would face identical charges regardless of which site they use.

The proposals form part of Somerset Council's wider plans to standardise parking charges across its car park network.

If approved, Ilminster would see some of the sharpest percentage increases in parking costs, reflecting the town's comparatively low existing tariffs.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for highways and transport, said: “This is fundamentally about fairness and consistency across Somerset.

“As a unitary authority, we inherited a range of different practices in different towns.

It is only right that all our car parks are part of the same charging structure, where the same rules are applied to everyone.

“Within the different tiers, there is plenty of room to accommodate different types of car park and usage, to reflect the role of each car park in supporting the local economy, including free provision for some of the time, as well as lower tariffs in less premium and more rural areas.

“Tariffs at the busier end of the spectrum in bigger centres are aimed at encouraging turnover and sustainable travel into Somerset’s towns.

“We use parking fees and charges to support local economies, help minimise the adverse environmental impacts of traffic and support the operation of the parking service.”