Preliminary consultation on parking charges, 2026-27

Update on proposed changes to parking charges

This consultation closed on 7 November 2025.

A report outlining the results and recommendations from this consultation was published, and the decision taken to hold further public consultation in the coming months.

You can read our press release or the cabinet member's decision notice for more information.

You can see the subsequent public consultation, which was live between 28 May and 18 June 2026, held as part of the Traffic Regulation Order process.

Use this consultation to have your say on changes to parking charges proposed for 2026–27 that aim to improve road safety, encourage sustainable travel, and ensure our parking services cover their costs.

Your feedback will help inform whether the measures progress to formal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultations later this year and are included in next year's budget.

Our proposals

We are proposing changes to Residents' Parking Zones (RPZ) tariffs to improve road safety. These include:

• Linking resident's parking permit costs to a vehicle's size, offering discounts for smaller vehicles and applying additional charges to some larger models (applied after any existing emission-based levy)
• Requiring a valid MOT for permit eligibility to reduce risks from unsafe or uninsured vehicles

The following changes are also proposed:

• A small increase in the cost of RPZ visitors' parking permits, introduced over three years
• The introduction of Saturday parking charges at Bath Hill East car park, Keynsham
• A small increase in the 24-hour parking charge at Park & Ride sites from £3 to £4 for motorists not using the bus service to free up space for bus users

We are also consulting on a TRO to increase the baseline charge for on-street parking permits. A link is provided in the 'Have your say' section of this page. 

Why we are proposing these changes

The way we manage parking has a direct impact on road safety, fairness, and the council’s ability to maintain essential services. The proposals in this consultation aim to fulfil the below ambitions.

Keeping our roads safe

To support public health and the safety of pedestrians, we already link the cost of parking permits to a vehicle’s emissions. By also linking permit costs to the size of a vehicle, we encourage ownership of smaller vehicles that reduce risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

Vehicle sizes have been growing significantly due to factors like consumer demand for larger models, such as SUVs, and a trend of increasing dimensions in many popular cars.   SUVs became the most popular car type in the UK in 2024, accounting for over 60% of all new car sales, a significant increase from less than 50% in 2020.

Studies suggest that larger and taller vehicles like SUVs and vans are more likely to cause increased injuries or fatalities in a collision with a pedestrian, especially children, or cyclists due to factors which include bonnet height and increased blind spots.

Larger vehicles can also obstruct buses, emergency services, and deliveries in our narrow roads, making it harder for all of us to get around.

Update - 22 October: We have revised this section to more accurately reflect the research findings we quoted, regarding the impact of large vehicles on injury and fatality rates.

We also propose to only issue parking permits to vehicles with a valid MOT certificate, to help protect people from unsafe and potentially uninsured vehicles.

Covering operational costs and promoting fairness and sustainable travel

Running and enforcing our parking services costs money. These services must cover their costs if they are to remain reliable and effective. We are therefore proposing a modest price increase on RPZ visitor parking permits.

We are also aligning tariffs across our town car parks for Saturday parking, and we are modestly adjusting charges for those who choose to park at our P&R sites all day without using the bus. This frees up limited space for bus users, particularly at peak times.

We want a parking system that is fair and encourages safer, cleaner and healthier travel choices. These proposals build on Bath’s Clean Air Zone, support our Journey to Net Zero and proposed Movement Strategy, and contribute to Vision Zero - our pledge to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Find out more

Click through the steps below to read about our proposals in more detail and view the proposed tariffs.

Size-based charges

We are proposing that the cost of a residents' parking permit is based on the size of the vehicle, with supplementary charges for some larger vehicles and discounts for smaller vehicles.

These charges and discounts would apply on top of existing emissions-based tariffs. 

Why are we proposing this?

Vehicles are getting larger every year which is concerning when we know that they are more likely to seriously injure or kill pedestrians and cyclists in a collision than smaller vehicles.

They also take up more space on increasingly congested streets, blocking access for emergency vehicles and buses, and making it harder for everyone to get around.

Introducing supplementary charges for larger vehicles and including discounts for smaller ones will encourage the uptake of safer, smaller and cleaner vehicles.

How size-based charging would work

• Charges would be based on your vehicle's area in square metres (length × width, excluding wing mirrors)
• It works like the existing emissions-based escalator with some larger vehicles paying more
• A discount on the first permit is available for the smallest vehicles, encouraging residents to own smaller cars
• Charges for a second permit are higher than for a first permit and no discount is offered for second permits. This reflects the added pressure that multiple-vehicle households place on limited road space
• Size-based charges are capped at a maximum which is equivalent to a vehicle that is 14.01m²
• People with a blue badge living in a resident parking zone are entitled to a permit free of charge and therefore are not impacted by these proposals

Proposed charging bands

Vehicles are grouped into bands based on their size (area in metres squared). The permit charge or discount applied will depend on the vehicle's band and whether it is a first or second permit.

See the proposed charging bands

Band	Area lower range (metres squared)	Area upper range (metres squared)	Discount or charge multiplier – 1st permit	Discount or charge multiplier – 2nd permit
1	0	5.00	Fixed discount - £20	Vehicle area multiplied by £2
2	5.01	6.00	Fixed discount - £10	Vehicle area multiplied by £4
3	6.01	7.00	Fixed discount - £10	Vehicle area multiplied by £6
4	7.01	8.00	Vehicle area multiplied by £1	Vehicle area multiplied by £8
5	8.01	9.00	Vehicle area multiplied by £2	Vehicle area multiplied by £10
6	9.01	10.00	Vehicle area multiplied by £3	Vehicle area multiplied by £12
7	10.01	11.00	Vehicle area multiplied by £4	Vehicle area multiplied by £14
8	11.01	12.00	Vehicle area multiplied by £5	Vehicle area multiplied by £16
9	12.01	13.00	Vehicle area multiplied by £6	Vehicle area multiplied by £18
10	13.01	14.00	Vehicle area multiplied by £7	Vehicle area multiplied by £20
11	14.01	no maximum	Fixed charge of £112.08	Fixed charge of £308.22

See some common price-per-size examples and indicative charges

Make	Model	Length (mm)	Width (mm)	Area (m²)	Annual charge: 1st Permit	Annual charge: 2nd Permit
Smart	Fortwo Passion MHD Auto	2695	1559	4.200	-£20.00	£8.40
Toyota	IQ3 VVT-I CVT	2985	1680	5.010	-£10.00	£20.04
Toyota	Aygo+ VVT-I	3405	1615	5.500	-£10.00	£22.00
Kia	Picanto LX	3495	1595	5.570	-£10.00	£22.28
Fiat	Panda Dynamic 360	3538	1578	5.580	-£10.00	£22.32
Peugeot	107 Urban	3430	1630	5.590	-£10.00	£22.36
Citroen	C1 VT	3435	1630	5.600	-£10.00	£22.40
Hyundai	I10 Classic	3565	1595	5.690	-£10.00	£22.76
Volkswagen	Up GTI	3600	1645	5.920	-£10.00	£23.68
Hyundai	I10 SE	3665	1660	6.080	-£10.00	£36.48
Mini	Mini Cooper	3626	1688	6.120	-£10.00	£36.72
Ford	Ka Zetec	3620	1702	6.160	-£10.00	£36.96
Nissan	Micra SX	3715	1660	6.170	-£10.00	£37.02
Volkswagen	Polo S TDI 70	3916	1650	6.460	-£10.00	£38.76
Peugeot	108 Active	3475	1884	6.550	-£10.00	£38.76
Toyota	Yaris TR VVT-I	3885	1695	6.590	-£10.00	£39.54
Honda	Jazz I-VTEC ES	3900	1695	6.610	-£10.00	£39.66
Mercedes-Benz	A160 Classic SE CVT	3838	1764	6.770	-£10.00	£40.62
Fiat	Punto Easy	4065	1687	6.860	-£10.00	£41.16
Audi	A1 Sport 25 TFSI	4029	1740	7.010	£7.01	£56.08
Vauxhall	Corsa Energy	4021	1746	7.020	£7.02	£56.16
Renault	Clio Play 16V	4063	1732	7.040	£7.04	£56.32
Peugeot	208 Allure Premium EV	4055	1745	7.080	£7.08	£56.64
Volkswagen	Polo SE Evo	4053	1751	7.100	£7.10	£56.80
Peugeot	308 Active SW HDI Blue S/S	4585	1563	7.170	£7.17	£57.36
Volkswagen	Golf TDI SE	4149	1735	7.200	£7.20	£57.60
Ford	Fiesta Active X Edition T MHEV	4068	1941	7.900	£7.90	£63.20
Nissan	Qashqai N-Connecta DCI	4377	1806	7.900	£7.90	£63.20
Audi	Q3 SE TFSI	4385	1831	8.030	£16.06	£80.30
Nissan	Leaf N-Connecta	4490	1788	8.030	£16.06	£80.30
Audi	A4 T (190) S Line	4545	1772	8.050	£16.10	£80.50
BMW	Z4 M40I	4324	1864	8.060	£16.12	£80.60
Kia	Niro 3 HEV S-A	4420	1825	8.070	£16.14	£80.70
BMW	X1 Xdrive18D Xline Auto	4439	1821	8.080	£16.16	£80.80
Peugeot	Partner Combi HDI	4137	1960	8.110	£16.22	£81.10
Ford	Focus Zetec	4337	2019	8.760	£17.52	£87.60
Ford	C-MAX Zetec	4333	2022	8.760	£17.52	£87.60
Audi	Q5 S Line Plus TDI Quattro	4629	1898	8.790	£17.58	£87.90
Vauxhall	Zafira Tourer Design Turbo	4666	1884	8.790	£17.58	£87.90
Aston Martin	Vantage V8	4380	2022	8.860	£17.72	£88.60
Vauxhall	Astra Elite	4419	2013	8.900	£17.80	£89.00
BMW	X3 Xdrive20D M Sport Auto	4708	1891	8.900	£17.80	£89.00
Ford	Mondeo ST-LINE TDCI	4867	1852	9.010	£27.03	£108.12
Renault	Scenic Privilege VVT CVT	4344	2077	9.020	£27.06	£108.24
Vauxhall	Zafria Exclusiv	4467	2026	9.050	£27.15	£108.60
Ford	C-MAX Zetec Turbo	4380	2067	9.050	£27.15	£108.60
Tesla	Model Y Long Range AWD	4750	1921	9.120	£27.36	£109.44
BMW	520D SE	4907	1860	9.130	£27.39	£109.56
Ford	Galaxy Zetec TDCI	4820	2154	10.380	£41.52	£145.32
Jaguar	F-Pace SE D MHEV AWD Auto	4747	2175	10.320	£41.28	£144.48
Land Rover	Discovery TD5 ES	4705	2190	10.300	£41.20	£144.20
Audi	A7 S Line 50 TDI MHEV Quat S-A	4969	2118	10.520	£42.08	£147.28
Ford	Transit Custom 320Leader Eblue	5340	1986	10.610	£42.44	£148.54
Peugeot	Boxer 335 Pro L2H2 Blue HDI	5413	2050	11.100	£55.50	£177.60
Audi	Q7 SLN BLK ED 55TFSI MHEV QT A	5063	2212	11.200	£56.00	£179.20
Renault	Trafic SL27 Sport NAV ENGY DCI	4999	2283	11.410	£57.05	£182.56
Mercedes-Benz	Sprinter 314CDI	5870	1993	11.700	£58.50	£187.20
Peugeot	Boxer 335 Pro L3H2 BHDI	5998	2050	12.300	£73.80	£221.40
Ford	E-Transit 350 Leader	5981	2059	12.310	£73.86	£221.58
Renault	Master LM35 Business+ DCI	6225	2070	12.890	£77.34	£232.02
Mercedes	Sprinter 315 CDI LWB	6940	1960	13.600	£95.20	£272.00
Ford	Transit 290	5531	2474	13.680	£95.76	£273.60
Ford	Transit 350	5981	2474	14.800	£112.08	£308.22
Mercedes-Benz	Sprinter 319 Premium CDI	6967	2345	16.340	£112.08	£308.22

How to check what you would pay

Should the additional charges for size (area) be approved, MiPermit would automatically calculate your supplementary charge or discount using vehicle data held by the DVLA. 

To know how much you'll need to pay for the purposes of this consultation, you can check your vehicles V5C for details and use this to cross reference against our proposed charges.

The maximum additional size/area charge is capped equivalent to a vehicle that is 14.01m² - i.e. £112.08 for a first permit and £308.22 for a second.

Where data on size is not held on a specific vehicle, we would also accept photographic or documentary evidence that clearly shows the vehicle’s dimensions. If no evidence exists, we would apply the maximum charge shown above.

Visitor parking permits

Visitor parking permits can be purchased in advance by residents with a valid residents’ parking permit. They are sold in bundles of 100 hours (digital permits) or 10 days (paper permits) with a day being equivalent to 10 hours.

Currently permits cost the equivalent of £1 per day. This will increase by 50 pence each year, for three years. By 2028 the equivalent cost per day would be £2.50.

You can continue to use existing visitor permits which remain valid for 12 months from the day of purchase.

Why are we proposing this?

The increase will help to cover the administration and enforcement costs of RPZs so that they are funded by the permit holders who benefit, and not by those living outside the zone.

See our proposed permit charge increases

	Current price	Year 1, 2026	Year 2, 2027	Year 3, 2028
100 digital hours	£10	£15	£20	£25
10 days (paper)	£10	£15	£20	£25
20 half-days (paper)	£10	£15	£20	£25
Equivalent permit cost/day	£1	£1.50	£2	£2.50

Bath Hill East Car Park, Keynsham 

We are proposing to introduce parking charges on Saturdays in Bath Hill East car park.

Why are we proposing this?

Saturday charges already apply at other council-owned car parks, including those in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Radstock. This revenue funds maintenance and improvement costs, and all car parks in these towns remain free of charge on Sundays.

See our proposed charges for 2026-27 (Monday to Saturday)

Hours	Cost	Time period
Up to 2 hours	£1.00 to £1.60	Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Up to 4 hours	£2.00 to £2.80	Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Up to 8 hours	£4.00 to £5.40	Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Up to 10 hours	£5.00 to £6.60	Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Up to 6pm	£0.00	Concessionary/Bank Holidays/Sundays

Charges at Park & Ride (P&R) sites 

We’re proposing to increase the ‘up to 24-hour’ parking charge at our P&R sites from £3 to £4 for motorists who do not use the bus service. This change would take effect from October 2026.

Why are we proposing this?

We want to discourage long-stay parking by those who do not use the bus service to free up limited space for those who do, particularly at peak times. This will ensure our P&R services are effective in encouraging sustainable travel.

See our proposed P&R charge increases

Duration	Current charge	Proposed charge from Oct 2026
Up to 3 hours	£2.00	£2.00 (no change)
Up to 24 hours	£3.00	£4.00 (£1 increase)

MOT-dependent residents' permits 

We’re proposing to only issue residents' parking permits for vehicles with a valid MOT at the time of purchase/application.

Why are we proposing this?

Restricting parking permits for vehicles without a valid MOT will increase protection for people from potentially unsafe vehicles and uninsured drivers.

Who we are consulting

We have approximately 9,500 permit holders in the area who may be affected, and we are keen to hear their views.

We also want to consult with residents where we are proposing new zones in Lambridge, Locksbrook and Audley Grove (subject to consultation), and in the Southdown and Moorlands areas of Bath where we have completed very early engagement on the potential for a zone.

We also want to consult with users of car parks in Keynsham and at our Park and Ride sites. 

Have your say

Please use our webform to leave your comments. It includes questions on all our proposals, but you can respond to as many or few questions as you like. Your feedback will inform whether these measures progress to a formal Traffic Regulation Order consultation later this year. 

The consultation is open from Friday 17 October to Friday 7 November at 5pm.

This consultation is now closed.

You may also wish to find out more and take part in the related TRO consultation on increased baseline charges for on-street parking permits. You can read a summary of both in our press release.

Equality Impact Assessments

Read our Equality Impact Assessment on the proposed changes to Residents' Parking Permit charging.

Read our Equality Impact Assessment on the proposed changes to parking charges in Keynsham and at our P&R sites.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about this consultation, or need documents in an alternative format, please email us at parking_consultation@bathnes.gov.uk, or call our Parking Services team on 01225 477133.