A petition signed by more than 1,200 people to stop the introduction of car parking charges has been tabled by councillors.
The Conservative opposition on South Gloucestershire Council last night formally submitted a petition calling for plans to introduce car parking charges to be scrapped.
The petition, which was signed by 1,208 South Gloucestershire residents highlighted the damaging effects that parking charges would have on high streets and local businesses, and demanded that the Lib Dem-Labour coalition drop the proposals with immediate effect.
Cllr Sam Bromiley, Leader of the Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Residents have made their views crystal clear – they do not want to see cark parking charges introduced in South Gloucestershire.
“The administration has repeatedly said that it will be firmly guided by public opinion in everything it seeks to do. Its members must now practice what they preach and respect the wishes of residents by scrapping the parking charges plans completely.
“It is unfair and unnecessary to start charging people to park their cars in South Gloucestershire. While I appreciate the financial challenges the council currently faces, the administration must do more to seek alternative revenue raising opportunities, ones that don’t unfairly penalise residents and businesses.”
South Gloucestershire is currently one of the few places in the country that still offers free parking in all council-owned car parks. It has been one of the Conservative Group’s most popular long-standing policies.
During the local election campaign in May, both the Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups promised to keep car parking free. The Conservatives are extremely disappointed that this flagship commitment has been dropped less than 12 months into the life of the coalition.
While the petition was formally submitted to South Gloucestershire Council at last night’s Full Council meeting, it is still live and signatures can be added at any time.
The petition is here: Car Parking charge petition | Bristol and South Gloucestershire (bsgconservatives.com).
