SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is making parking free for the first half hour in all of its car parks where charges were introduced last year.
The new rule will apply to any space in a car park, and will come into effect from mid-June.
The authority announced the change of policy to “make the scheme easier to use and promote the use of local high streets”.
But the move has come too late for one Staple Hill business, which is closing in June and says the charges were a factor in the decision.
All four car parks in Staple Hill where charges are in force – Byron Place opposite Tesco, Haynes Lane and the two in Page Road – will allow short and long stays from June.
Currently Byron Place, Haynes Lane and the Page Road/Kendall Road car park are long stay-only, with a minimum charge of £3; the main Page Road car park is short stay-only.
The cost of parking is going up for stays of between 30 minutes and three hours.
An hour’s stay will rise from 70p to 80p, two hours will rise from £1.30 to £1.40, and three hours will go up from £3 to £3.20 – although the £3.20 rate will now apply to stays of up to four hours, with stays over four hours costing £4.20.
The new rates will also apply in the St James Street car park in Mangotsfield.
Weekly, monthly and annual season ticket prices are being reduced, and blue badge holders will continue to be able to park free for up to four hours, in any space.
After the shake-up all drivers, including those parking for a 30-minute free stay, will have to register their vehicle at a ticket machine or via the council’s parking app, and will be able to extend stays.
The council brought in charges in 22 car parks last May, aiming to raise £800,000 in the first year.
It says it actually collected around £750,000: some car parks, like those in Page Road, raised more than first forecast but others, including Byron Place and Haynes Lane, raised less.
The council says the changes follow a series of face-to-face meetings with chambers of commerce, town and parish councils, individual traders and residents.
Council cabinet member Sean Rhodes said: “We have been listening to our local traders and high streets and know that they are facing many challenges, common across the country, as people’s shopping habits continue to change.
“We have to balance measures we can take to help keep our high streets thriving with the steps we need to take to maintain all council services in very difficult times financially.”