Free parking keeps Clevedon’s heart beating. Don’t let parking meters push our small businesses to closure.

We’re calling on North Somerset Council to scrap the plan for paid parking and protect Clevedon’s independent spirit. Please sign and share this petition to help us keep our local businesses thriving and our town centre welcoming to everyone.

Free parking keeps Clevedon’s town centre alive. The Council’s proposal to introduce on-street parking charges on Hill Road, Alexandra Road and Bellevue Road threatens the future of our much-loved local shops, cafés and small businesses. These streets are the heart of Clevedon’s community — adding charges will drive visitors away, reduce footfall and risk permanent closures.

We have seen parking charges introduced in other areas of North Somerset recently and we know it is already having a significant negative impact. Implementing on-street parking charges in Clevedon’s Hill Road area is a decision that threatens the very heart of the shopping, business, residential and visitor community.

The area is home to a vibrant mix of small but vital, owner-run shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants that give our town its unique character. These aren’t big chains, they’re local, independent businesses and livelihoods, serving the community and employing local people. 

Introducing parking charges will drive customers away. When parking stops being free, people stop coming, this includes residents popping by to make a quick purchase, friends meeting for a coffee and browse of the shops, and those from further afield who make a day trip. They will simply choose to shop and dine in areas where parking remains free. Evidence from other towns shows exactly this: footfall significantly declines, small businesses suffer and ultimately close.

North Somerset Council has a duty to listen to the community it serves. It’s time for the Council to respect those views and make decisions that genuinely reflect the needs and priorities of the people who live and work here. We have already seen what happens when they don’t and it has cost a lot of money for them and for us.  Despite thousands of objections, they are not listening and plan to bring the charges in soon.

We are calling on the Council to scrap the proposal for on-street parking charges, support local business, local employment and the local economy.

Sign now to tell North Somerset Council: Keep Hill Road free to park and keep Clevedon’s independent spirit alive. When you sign you'll receive an email - don't forget you need to click on the link to confirm your signature.

Thank you.

The Clevedon traders and business of Hill, Alexandra, Elton, Garden and Bellevue Roads

 

Our campaign featured in the North Somerset Times read here