Scores of residents urged city council leaders to rethink “discriminatory” new charges at a car park used by GP patients, shoppers and Sunday churchgoers. Westbury Hill, in Westbury-on-Trym, is one of 10 district car parks across Bristol, which are currently free, where pay and display is being introduced.
But furious locals fear the new fees of £1 per hour, seven days a week, could “destroy” businesses and voluntary organisations and unfairly penalise patients visiting the doctor’s surgery at the back of the car park and those attending Sunday services at the neighbouring parish and Methodist churches. A total of 53 public forum statements opposing the plans were submitted to Bristol City Council cabinet – all of them about the same car park.
Many urged changes to the proposals, which were approved at the meeting, to include a half-hour free stay and abandon Sunday fees. Mayor Marvin Rees said conversations with residents could still be had about the details, despite the decision on Tuesday, January 24.
