Drivers to be hit with new sizing charges as larger petrol and diesel cars pay more under new plans

The proposals put forward by the council include charges based on vehicle size for residents' parking permits, changes to all-day parking at Bath's three Park and Ride sites, and requiring a valid MOT for permit eligibility.

As part of the overhaul, it also includes a small increase in the cost of Residential Parking Zone visitors' parking permits, introduced over three years.

The public has now been asked to respond to the consultation, which is open until 5pm, June 18, at which point the council will consider all feedback before making a decision.

Councillor Joel Hirst, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Strategy, said: "The way we manage parking has a direct impact on road safety, fairness, and the council's ability to maintain essential services.

"What we're proposing to do will help us achieve this. Higher charges for larger vehicles and discounts for smaller ones will encourage more people to use safer, smaller and cleaner vehicles, which will also help improve air quality."

He added that the council wants to hear as many voices as possible, prompting the decision to launch another consultation.

Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Communications and Community, shared: "We have three brilliant Park and Ride sites that run fast, regular and convenient services into the city and provide free parking for those using the service.

"One of our proposed changes is to increase the cost of 24-hour parking at these sites for motorists not using the service, and we want to hear your views."

Under the proposed charging system, a vehicle's size would be measured in square metres by multiplying its length by its width, excluding wing mirrors, with 11 different charging bands.

Meanwhile, the smallest vehicles, measuring up to five square metres, would qualify for a £20 discount on a first permit. This would primarily impact larger vehicles, which are currently using petrol and diesel, with the council sharing that a diesel BMW X1 Xdrive18D Xline Auto would face charges of £16.16 for the first permit, before moving to a whopping £80.80 for the second permit.

Similarly, the Ford Focus Zetec petrol car would face charges of £17.52 for its first permit, before shooting up to £87.60 for the second one.

The largest vehicles, which measure more than 14 square metres, would face a maximum extra charge of £112.08 for a first permit and £308.22 for a second permit.

In addition to the council's previous proposals, a consultation will also be launched on the introduction of parking charges on Weston Road in Bath, as well as changes to permit parking on Monmouth Street to support Avon and Somerset Police moving into Bath city centre, and some operational changes to council car parks.

The plans include a new rule requiring vehicles to have a valid MOT to qualify for a permit, which the council said would help remove "unsafe or uninsured vehicles" from local roads.

The council had previously carried out an initial public consultation on these proposals, which closed in November 2025, with feedback showing that 50 per cent of respondents supported introducing size‑based charges or discounts for residents' parking permits.

It also found that 38 per cent of respondents supported increasing the 24-hour parking charge at Park and Ride sites from £3 to £4 for motorists who don't use the bus service.

However, the council noted that Blue Badge holders who live in residents' parking zones would remain exempt from the charges.

The council added: "Vehicles are getting larger every year, which is concerning when we know that they are more likely to seriously injure or kill pedestrians and cyclists in a collision than smaller vehicles.

"Introducing supplementary charges for larger vehicles and including discounts for smaller ones will encourage the uptake of safer, smaller, and cleaner vehicles."