Parking limit set to free up spaces for seafront visitors

ATEMPORARY two-hour parking limit is being put in place along Clevedon seafront – in a bid to free up spaces for visitors.

The new two-hour limit will be in force along The Beach.

Currently there are no limits on the length of time people can stay and park, with the new measures affecting 34 spaces.

The move follows research done as part of a wider parking review conducted by the authority this year.

Surveys showed that many of the spaces were being used by local residents to park all day or by people working in the area.

It is hoped the new restrictions will provide a better turnover of spaces for people visiting the town.

North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said: “As part of our parking work we have done extensive surveys of The Beach and this showed that most of the spaces were used either by residents in nearby flats or by people working in local shops and businesses with very few used by visitors.

“The aim of introducing the two-hour limited waiting is to address this and create a turnover of spaces during the daytime that can be used by visitors.

“This will undoubtedly improve the position for visitors to the pier than has historically been the case.”

The two-hour limit will be a temporary one – until changes put forward in the parking review are put into place.

Consultation with local people and businesses as part of the review said a three hour waiting limit would be more appropriate to ensure people had enough time to fully enjoy the seafront area.

Mr Yates added: “We accept the suggestion that a three-hour limit would be more helpful in this location so visitors can visit local cafes and enjoy walks along the seafront and around the local area.

“It is our intention to introduce this in a few months as part of the permanent changes we will be making in this location.”

Plans to introduce parking charges in Clevedon, Nailsea and Portishead as part of the review have been put on hold, partly due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Future changes to parking across the district will now form part of the council’s overall 10-year strategy for the district.

However some schemes put forward as part of the review will go ahead, including a residents’ parking scheme in Leigh Woods.