Somerset Parking Charges Could Rise 10% Before New County-Wide System

Somerset Drivers Face Proposed Parking Changes From January 2027

Somerset Parking Charges Could Rise 10% Before New County-Wide System Somerset drivers could face higher parking charges from January 2027 under proposals designed to create a more consistent parking system across the county. Somerset Council's Executive is due to consider the proposals on 7 October, following a review of the county's council-run car parks and feedback from residents and its scrutiny committee. Proposed 10% parking charge increase If approved, existing council car park charges would increase by 10% from January 2027. The council says current charges have not increased since August 2025, while a new tier-based charging system would be introduced later in autumn 2027. The proposed system is intended to replace the different rates and charging principles currently used across Somerset. There are currently 120 council-run chargeable car parks across the county, alongside 42 car parks that are free to use. New tier-based parking system planned Somerset Council says the proposals follow a comprehensive review of all its car parks. Where parking charges have historically been particularly low, the council is proposing a phased approach, with initial increases moving charges part-way towards the proposed tier tariff. The intention is to give drivers, businesses and communities more time to adjust to the changes rather than introducing larger increases immediately. Councillor Liz Leyshon, Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance, said the council inherited different parking arrangements when Somerset Council was created in 2023. She said the proposals are intended to create a clearer and more consistent system while recognising differences between individual towns and communities. Free car parks will not automatically become chargeable One of the important points for drivers is that the proposals do not currently mean charges will immediately be introduced at Somerset's 42 free car parks. The council says no decision will be taken at this stage on introducing charges at those locations. Instead, it plans to engage with communities, local councillors, businesses and other stakeholders before making local decisions about free car parks, on-street parking, permits, concessions and future payment arrangements. Any changes requiring parking orders or traffic regulation orders would also be subject to the relevant statutory process, including consultation and consideration of objections. Parking machines could also be replaced The proposals include up to £350,000 from the Parking Reserve to replace outdated payment machines across Somerset. For drivers, this could mean changes to the way parking is paid for at some council car parks as newer machines are introduced. The council is also proposing up to £150,000 to redesign bays at Taunton's Orchard Multi-Storey Car Park to better accommodate larger and heavier vehicles, including electric vehicles. Seven-day parking changes also proposed Somerset Council is proposing a six-month trial of seven-day operation for the Taunton Park and Ride service. It is also proposing to extend town-centre residents' parking schemes and on-street restrictions from six days to seven days a week. These changes would be introduced before any seven-day off-street charging is brought in. A framework would also allow city, town and parish councils to support local parking objectives if they choose to do so. What Somerset drivers need to know For now, the proposed changes are not the same as confirmed new parking charges. The first major decision will come when the Executive considers the proposals on 7 October, with further engagement and statutory processes required for some of the changes. Drivers who regularly use Somerset's council car parks will therefore need to watch for local updates, particularly if they park in areas where charges are currently lower than the proposed county-wide tiers. With parking arrangements potentially becoming more consistent across Somerset, checking the latest charges and restrictions before travelling could become increasingly important. EveryonesParking can help drivers plan ahead when visiting unfamiliar towns, particularly when parking charges, restrictions and payment arrangements may differ between locations. The proposed changes would be phased over time, meaning drivers will have opportunities to see how individual parking arrangements develop before the new county-wide system is fully introduced.