More resident parking zones for Bath
The RPZs in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland, Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road areas follow a number which went live earlier in the year
Last updated 15th Jun 2024
Two more residents parking zones are to be created in Bath.
B&NES Council says they'll go live from July 31 after an 'extensive' consultation with the public.
They'll be in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland, Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road areas to tackle anti-social driving and commuter parking.
It's also hoped the zones will help with improving the health of locals and the health of the local environment by reducing the amount of emissions released in these areas.
The plans are part of the local authority's 'Liveable Neighbourhoods' programme, with the zones also going towards wider council policies to ensure equitable street space is given to those who'd prefer to walk, wheel, scoot, or cycle around the city instead.
They're also part of B&NES Council's response to the climate and ecological emergencies, and form part of their plan to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2030.
Work to get started setting up the zones
Works to install the Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road zone set to start from Monday 12 June and should be complete by Tuesday 20 June - and could mean temporary road closures and parking suspensions.
New signage and lines are scheduled to be installed in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland area from Wednesday 21 June to Friday 28 July.
In both areas, residents will not need a permit to park in the zones until the official launch date on 31 July, however, locals are welcome to apply for their permits from 3 July.
Letters with details about the zones and their installation are being posted to all residents in the zones.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “We are serious about tackling congestion, air pollution and our climate emergency and the zones help to address these important issues. Earlier this year we successfully installed five residents’ parking zones and these two are the next phase. The seven zones, which were proposed by ward councillors on behalf of their communities, are part of our wider Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.
“In deciding to go ahead with the schemes we listened and talked with residents, businesses and organisations. Many residents said they found it challenging to park near their homes because of commuter parking, but businesses have raised concerns about the impact of the final design on trade. We are working with the Oldfield Park Community Alliance and Genesis Trust about how we can mitigate any potential impacts, using this information to inform any future reviews of the schemes.
“I recognise the changes may affect other areas and I want to remind people that they can request their own RPZs, via ward councillors, if they are witnessing significant parking pressures from commuters and other users.”
There were 'informal' public consultations on the plans back in autumn 2021 and spring 2022, with further - formal - consultations hosted by B&NES Council in June 2022 and autumn 2022.
The rules of the RPZ
Under residents parking zones (RPZ), the cost of a permit to park your car depends on the emissions of your vehicle.
B&NES Council say the 'average' 8-year-old 1.6 litre petrol or diesel family car would set you back around £100-£125 every year.
Smaller, newer, cars would typically cost less than this.
You can also buy visitor permits, and there's a limit of two permits per property, whilst those with off-street parking are only allowed to purchase one permit.
Properties which have the space to fit two cars aren't eligible to buy a permit, under the RPZ scheme.
To help manage the costs of permits, and to ensure that money is not wasted when permits are not needed, permits can also be purchased in durations of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.
The proposed RPZs and single yellow lines will operate between 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week, not including bank holidays.
Double yellow and disabled parking bays operate at all times, unless a sign indicates otherwise.
Blue badge holders can park in any permit holders bay for as long as they require across Bath and North East Somerset.
More information on eligibility, the cost of permits and how to apply is available here.
Read more: Residents Parking Zones go live in Bath from today