The Conservative opposition on South Gloucestershire Council has vowed to opposed the introduction of car parking charges at a crunch meeting this week.
On Wednesday 21 February, the council will vote to approve the budget for the 2024/25 financial year.
The Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition in charge of the council plans to introduce car parking charges in all council-owned car parks across South Gloucestershire, and will vote for the measure on Wednesday night.
But the Conservative opposition on the council has today renewed its fierce opposition to parking charges and has promised to vote down the proposal at Wednesday’s crunch meeting.
Cllr Sam Bromiley, Leader of the Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Residents can be assured that the Conservative Group will outright oppose the introduction of parking charges when the plans are put to councillors on Wednesday night – no ifs or buts.
“We have repeatedly said that parking charges are bad for residents and bad for businesses, and we will take a strong stand against this damaging policy.
“To be clear, there is no financial need to introduce parking charges in South Gloucestershire. If the administration goes ahead with the plans, it will be a political decision.
“The Conservative Group will not stand by and let this policy go through without a fight.”
A recent public consultation exercise revealed that residents across the district are strongly opposed to the introduction of parking charges, with 70% coming out against the plans. In Thornbury alone, 92% wanted parking charges scrapped.
The Lib Dem-Labour administration has also failed to identify any new efficiency savings as part of its 2024/25 budget proposals, meaning increased charges are being passed on to residents without any attempts having been made to make savings elsewhere.
And during the local election campaign in May, both the Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups promised to keep car parking free.
