HUNDREDS of people joined a protest in Wiveliscombe at the weekend against Somerset Council proposals to end free car parking in the town.

The council wants to charge a daily fee in previously free car parks of £2, and £1 for evening and overnight parking, which would cost residents more than £1,000 a year.

The charges, on which councillors are due to vote as part of their budget setting on Wednesday (March 5), would raise income for the council as it battles to avoid becoming bankrupt.

Protest organiser Cllr Dave Mansell (right) pictured with Wiveliscombe town Cllr Patti Martin and Tim Martin. PHOTO: George Ody.
Protest organiser Cllr Dave Mansell (right) pictured with Wiveliscombe town Cllr Patti Martin and Tim Martin. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

The Wiveliscombe demonstration was organised by the town’s two Somerset Cllrs Dave Mansell and Gwil Wren and was also against similar proposed charges in neighbouring Milverton.

Demonstrators waved placards and chanted ‘say it loud, say it clear, parking fees not wanted here’ as they gathered in the Croft Way car park opposite the town’s recreation ground.

Cllr Mansell thanked everybody who took part in the protest, which he said had attracted television and radio coverage across Somerset.

He said: “It will be noticed and we are unlikely to achieve anything if we do not try.

“It will help to highlight the strength of local feeling on this issue, due to genuine problems that will result.

Wiveliscombe resident Dan Bond with a humorous placard against car parking charges. PHOTO: George Ody.
Wiveliscombe resident Dan Bond with a humorous placard against car parking charges. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

“I will also be doing my best within the council to draw attention to the local impacts and need to address these for a better outcome.

“Others tend to pay more attention when a message is reinforced from several directions.

“A strong show of support will make voices in the council and in the local media stronger.

“It will show, too, that this community has something to say and needs to be consulted before committing to a decision, which is one of the main requests being made.

“Other communities around Somerset have been raising concern, too.

“Wiveliscombe and Milverton are getting our share of attention alongside these, so we are also not alone.”

Protestors made their opposition known to proposals to end free car parking in Wiveliscombe. PHOTO: George Ody.
Protestors made their opposition known to proposals to end free car parking in Wiveliscombe. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

Cllr Mansell said there was concern that motorists would try to avoid charges by instead parking in streets, which would add to existing access problems and stop people being able to park near their homes.

He said there were fears among shopkeepers that shoppers could abandon Wiveliscombe and drive to out-of-town supermarkets instead.

Cllr Mansell said despite the unitary council’s scrutiny committee rejecting the charges and calling first for consultation to be carried out along with an assessment of their impact, the likely income was still being included in the annual budget for 2025-26.

Cllr Dave Mansell pictured at the head of a large protest in Wiveliscombe against proposals to stop free car parking. PHOTO: George Ody.
Cllr Dave Mansell pictured at the head of a large protest in Wiveliscombe against proposals to stop free car parking. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

He said: “More still needs to be done to get the charging plans stopped or at least delayed and better considered.”

Somerset executive Cllr Richard Wilkins, who attended to witness the Wiveliscombe protest, said: “We have many car parks in Somerset and there are significant costs and challenges involved in running and maintaining them.

“It is really important we bring fairness and uniformity in charges across the county, and in turn the extra income will help ensure the parking service is fully self-financed and can continue to be run, staffed and maintained properly.”