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Leigh Woods on-street parking scheme

Leigh Woods consultation

Initial consultation

In February and March 2020, we held informal consultation with residents, Leigh Woods community groups and the wider public to better understand parking issues affecting the area. This engagement produced valuable feedback and, as a result, a number of amendments were made to the initial proposals.

Our Executive Committee reflected on the feedback from the consultation. They decided in October 2020 to implement the scheme with some changes:

  • amending the hours of operation to 9am to 9pm
  • adjustments to parking prices and permit prices
  • introducing a four-hour parking option
  • include some short stay only bays on Church Road to help local residents

To inform the detailed plans for the scheme, a subsequent invitation went out to residents and local stakeholders in June 2021. We asked for informal comments, in particular around the proposed bay locations.

In response to this feedback the following key changes were made:

  • amends to an all-day charge
  • changes to the permit terms and conditions to:
    • allow all households to have two residents permits with no reduction for those with driveway space
    • visitor permits to be available to purchase separately rather than included with residents permits
    • introduce an additional allocation of visitor permit hours for those residents who require a carer.
  • reduce the number of standard pay and display bays, reduce the number of short-stay bays and increase the number of resident permit bays.
  • various detailed changes to lining and bays – these are reflected on the scheme plan and you can view a tabulated summary online.

August/September 2021 consultation

In August 2021, a three week statutory consultation was undertaken to gather feedback on the Traffic Regulation Order needed to create a legal basis for the scheme.  

In response to this, the scheme was further amended to include additional resident-only parking spaces on part of North Road (made possible by the removal of five short stay parking spaces).

Changes were also made to parking restrictions near St Mary’s church. This included moving the mobile library space and resident-only spaces. Please see the list of plans for these changes. 

We wrote again to residents in September to invite further comments.

November 2021 - decision to finalise the Traffic Regulation Order

In response to this feedback, a decision was made in November 2021 to finalise the order with some amendments. We are planning to implement these later this financial year subject to contractor timescales.

Residents will be advised of the outcome via letter. We will also provide information on how to purchase a permit in advance of the scheme opening.

Further amendments that were made include:

  • increased annual limit on visitor permits from 250 hours to 500 hours
  • visitor permit expiry increased from one year to three years
  • adjustments to lining and locations of bays – now reflected in the general arrangement
  • minor amendments to the proposed changes on North Road to facilitate planned alterations to a property access
  • reinstatement of a resident-only parking space on Vicarage Road.

Autumn 2022 post implementation review

The scheme was completed in February 2022. Six months after in September 2022 we invited residents and users to give feedback. We received 70 responses and whilst there were a mix of views, the majority were positive. 

The main changes we have made since the scheme opened are:

  • first on-street EV charger in North Somerset. The charger was up and running in March 2023. The charger allows two cars to be plugged in and usage data shows that it is being well-used
  • electric feeder pillar near suspension bridge installed. In future this will allow the ice-cream van that parks there in the summer to run quietly and cleanly, improving the air quality in this popular tourist destination
  • improved signage outside the church. We received feedback about the appearance of the blue pay and display machine. This machine was removed and replaced with signage to either pay using a mobile phone or alternative machines nearby.

There have been a mix of views expressed about the scheme but some of those who were against the scheme before are now pleased with the outcome. Whilst some improvements have been made in response to the feedback, no further substantial changes are proposed. The scheme has successfully managed parking demand in line with its objectives which align with council policies and the corporate plan.  

Background documents