INDEPENDENT councillors have united in opposition to North Somerset Council's proposal to introduce parking charges in Portishead, Nailsea and Clevedon.

The consultation on the proposals went live earlier this month. Residents have until Tuesday, May 7, to have their say.

Speaking about the proposed changes, Portishead West Cllr Nicola Holland said: "The consultation states that the charges will encourage greater use of alternatives to the car, well what choice exactly, if you live in some parts of my ward a walk into town can be up to 40 minutes or more and with bus services recently cut from our end of town public transport is non-existent.

"Until there is proper infrastructure people have no alternative but to use the car."

Portishead East Cllr Caritas Charles added: "Our High Street is in a perilous state as it is with no post office, the closure of a chemists and others struggling with the cost of living, I can see this having a real impact on local businesses.

"The proposals also call for charging at Killkenny fields and the lake grounds by the cricket club.

"Both locations are in desperate need of repair, and it would be embarrassing to charge the public in their present condition."

Residents are urged to take part in the consultation. Cllr Tim Snaden said: "We understand the desperate financial state local authorities find themselves in but we just can't support something that will hit our communities so hard.

"We encourage residents to add their voices to ours in urging North Somerset to reconsider."

A North Somerset Council spokesperson said: “We’d like to encourage all North Somerset residents and businesses to review the Parking Management Strategy and Action Plan and take part in the online consultation.

"Consultation feedback will help the council understand how people park now and what parking charge prices, locations and hours of operation could look like. 

"It will also help set the terms of any annual short-stay permit. 

"At the end of the consultation period, we’ll analyse all feedback and use this to help shape detail of the parking proposals.

"North Somerset’s Executive will then consider whether to take proposals further later this year.

"The consultation is open from now until midday on Tuesday, May 7, with paper versions of the questionnaire available from North Somerset libraries.”