Residents parking scheme afoot for Cotham, Bristol

Following the supposed success of the Kingsdown residents parking scheme, Cotham could be next in line for a wave of restrictions – but is it really a good idea?

Residents parking came into play in Kindgsdown earlier in the year in a bid to combat non-residents parking in the area all day while they worked or shopped in town. There were fears that is would simply shift the problem further north to Cotham and Redland, which it hasn't really done.

Who knows where those commuter types park now, but it doesn't appear to be Cotham and Redland – which are both a good 15-20 minute walk to the city centre. So why then would the council look to extend the scheme to these areas?

Parking is obviously an issue in Redland and Cotham (cue age old argument about what constitutes Redland and what is Cotham). With so many flats and rented properties, households quite often have more than one car. This means the driveway or car sized space outside the front of the property are simply not sufficient.

Saying that, Redland's a very ethical and eco-friendly kind of place and a lot of people do walk, cycle or use public transport so it's not like every house relies on a car. Neverhteless, in parts of Redland you may find yourself driving around for 15-20 minutes in a vain attempt to find a parking space vaguely near your house. In this instance, perhaps a residents parking scheme would help?

I guess it would depend on the specifics of the scheme. If it was perceived to be just another cash cow for Bristol City Council that would be no good at all. How can you expect people to support a residents parking scheme when it would leave them out of pocket? And cost-aside, chances are people will get bogged down in red tape, securing their parking permit and with the pace at which tenants change in Redland, this could put a massive strain on the council.

Cotham Councillor Neil Harrison believes residents parking could be the way forward in his ward. He is working with the council on some plans, which he says are supported by residents. He wrote in his blog: "What did surprise me was how popular an extension to the Kingsdown zone appears anecdotally to be – probably as people have now seen it working and want have quieter, safer and cleaner streets themselves. Anthony and I have therefore asked the traffic officers to draft up how residents parking scheme might work in Cotham, with a view to taking it out for formal consultation later this month."

Cllr Harrison, a Lib Dem, said it would only be introduced with support from the majority of Cotham residents. So, what do you think? A good idea or a great big no?