Parking charges to be introduced at three popular Bristol parks

Blaise Castle, Oldbury Court Estate and Snuff Mills are favourite haunts for many in Bristol seeking a countryside walk.

But people driving to the popular parks for a ramble this winter will have to pay to park for the first time in a move the council says will help manage parking at the sites and enable investment back into the city’s green spaces.

Pay and display machines are due to be installed in November and December in three car parks – the main Blaise Castle car park off Kings Weston Road, Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills just off Broom Hill in Fishponds.

Bristol City Council will also be installing a number of waiting restrictions, including double and single yellow lines, on sections of several surrounding roads in the next few weeks, weather permitting.

It says such measures will protect junctions, driveways and bus routes from obstructive parking.

New pay and display machines will be installed at Blaise Castle, as well as Snuff Mills and Oldbury Court – photo by Bristol Design cb

Deputy mayor Asher Craig, the council’s cabinet member for communities, qualities and public health, said: “Our parks and green spaces are already hugely popular with Bristolians and we want to ensure they remain attractive places to visit for future generations.

“As well as taking care of natural and heritage assets across the city, we plan to host more events and activities and improve play, café, and toilet facilities.

“This requires significant investment, for which the new parking charges will generate vital funds during a time when the council is under increasing financial pressure due to government cuts and the impacts of the pandemic. The new arrangement will help to ensure that green spaces across the city are a welcoming place for locals, visitors and wildlife for years to come.”

The standard charges, which will apply every day between 9am and 6pm at the three car parks, are:

·       £1 for up to one hour

·       £2 for up to two hours

·       £3 for up to five hours

Parking for Blue Badge holders and motorcycles with two wheels will be free with no time limits and standard parking will be free before 9am and after 6pm.

The council says the charges will help pay for reinvestment in Bristol’s parks – Photo: Oldbury Court Estate friends group

Don Alexander, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “As well as raising vital funds for our green spaces, the new arrangements will help to encourage a higher turnover of spaces and reduce obstructive parking on surrounding roads.

“This will help to ease issues with traffic congestion in the area, which will also help to keep buses running on time. We would also encourage everyone to walk, cycle or get the bus for short journeys if they can, as this will also help us to deliver clean air for Bristol and meet our commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.”

At Blaise Castle and Oldbury Court car parks, overflow parking may be implemented at busy times, which will also be subject to the same charges as the main car parks.

Blaise Castle Estate car park will have some coach bays for coaches and minibuses. Pay and display charges for these will vary between £3 and £25, depending on the size of the vehicle and the length of stay.

Warning signs will be in place in car parks ahead of the changes going live later in the year.

Updates will also be posted on the Blaise Castle Estate and Oldbury Court Estate pages on the council website.

Main photo by Martin Booth 

Read more: Bristol’s parks set for pay-to-use services and social prescribing to secure their future

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