Angry traders call for free parking in Keynsham

A traffic boss has warned that a move to free parking would only create further chaos for motorists in Keynsham.

B&NES Parking Services Manager Dorothy Miley made the claim during a meeting with angry traders over the loss of many parking spaces because work has started on the new Tesco store on the St John’s Court car park site.

They claim that some business has dropped around 20 per cent since the work started and that customers and workers are finding it difficult to park in the town.

It was pointed out that many customers were going to Longwell Green where parking is free.

But Ms Miley said that free parking would not solve the situation but create further chaos. She felt it was important to maintain a continuous flow of short term parking spaces and that she was working on plans for more 20 minute green bays in Ashton Way and also the possibility of creating a three-hour parking area on the car park behind Lloyds Pharmacy.

Ms Miley said that the council was looking to create more car parking capacity including ongoing talks with Keynsham Town Football Club about using the Crown Field car park on weekdays as well as the BMX car park on Bri