Claire Cavanagh

Politics Reporter, BBC Bristol

Reporting fromWeston-super-Mare

BBC A sign has a blue 'P' parking sign onit and reads 'Permit holders parking only past this point'. It is standing on a pole in front of a green hedge and blue sky.BBC

A Residents Parking Zone could be created in the centre of Weston-super-Mare

A residents’ parking zone could be introduced in Weston-super-Mare town centre if a pilot scheme goes ahead.

A consultation on the proposal, which would see residents of 15 streets have to pay £60 a year to park, ends later.

If given the go-ahead, the new zone will cover Baker Street, Glebe Road, Wooler Road, Jubilee Road, George Street, Swiss Road, Hill Road, Stafford Road, Beaufort Road, Clarendon Road, Gordon Road, Milburn Road, Trevelyan Road, Little George Street and Camden Terrace.

The bays would be in operation between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday, with permits limited to one per household.

Drivers with more than one car would be able to buy a permit for £90 a year to park extra cars in Locking Road car park.

Residents would also be able to add visitor hours to their permits.

North Somerset Council A map of streets in Weston-super-Mare with the streets due to be part of the pilot coloured in blue. North Somerset Council

The map of the streets where the Residents’ Parking Zone could be trialled

North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell said he was optimistic the scheme would reduce traffic and rat-running through the town centre.

“It’s great that we’re able to unveil these proposals for a resident parking scheme and help try to alleviate the issues for residents,” he said.

“It won’t be perfect or work for everyone, but it is important that we test this approach.”

Alex has lived in Swiss Road for four years and said he hoped the parking scheme would stop the stampede for somewhere to park.

Claire Cavanagh One of the residents of Swiss Road in Weston-super-Mare, Alex. He is wearing a black and white checked hoodie, he has a ginger beard and blue eyes and is standing in a doorway. Claire Cavanagh

Alex lives in Swiss Road in Weston-super-Mare and would have to buy a permit

“One of the issues about living around this area is that we’re very close to town and it’s free parking at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve also got good connections to the [Bristol] airport and had people parking for a week outside the house. They go off on holiday and that’s where the impact is for locals.”

But there is disappointment from some residents who feel they are being made to pay to park where they live.

One affected resident, Mila, said it is just more money to find.

“It’s not our choice,” she said. “We live here so if we want to stay here we will have to pay. It’s additional money for us. We have more than one car so it’s extra money.”

Claire Cavanagh A blonde woman in sunglasses and a dark blue anorak and white T-shirt sits outside a house on the street where the Residents' Parking Zone is due to be brought in. Claire Cavanagh

Sue lives in one of the streets impacted by the new residents’ parking zone

The streets within the scheme are close to the town centre, the railway station and the seafront, meaning they can get particularly crowded in the summer.

Sue lives in one of the roads where the pilot is planned. She told the BBC many cars speed through the area, making it dangerous.

“They are a pain, because the kids can’t play out like we used to when we were young. You don’t see kids out on their bikes anymore, playing ball games.”

If the residents’ parking zone goes ahead, the council said it would be reviewed after 12 months to see if it is working.