Motorists face new sizing charges as larger cars risk paying more under fresh plans

The move would mean owners of larger vehicles could pay more, while those with smaller cars may receive a discount.

The proposals were first put to the public between October and November last year, with a total of 490 people responding and 660 comments were submitted.

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.

The smallest vehicles, measuring up to five square metres, would qualify for a £20 discount on a first permit, while 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.

According to the council figures, 50 per cent of residents supported introducing charges or discounts linked to vehicle size, while 44 per cent opposed the idea, revealing a sharply divided response.

The council said the policy is designed to encourage the use of smaller, safer vehicles, but due to the divide, the authority has now launched another consultation.

Councillor Joel Hirst, cabinet member for Sustainable Transport Strategy, said: "We know residents care deeply about how parking is managed in their communities, and the first consultation gave us valuable feedback, including support for permit costs based on vehicle size.

"The aim of this is to encourage ownership of smaller, safer vehicles that reduce the risk of serious injury to pedestrians and cyclists and cause less obstruction on narrow streets."

The authority has also proposed changes to all-day parking at Bath's three Park and Ride sites, including raising the 24-hour parking charge from £3 to £4 for those who use the site but not the bus.

Support for increasing this measure was mixed, with just 38 per cent backing the price rise, while 37 per cent were against it.

Visitor parking permits were also under review due to charges remaining the same since 2013, but only 31 per cent of respondents supported raising the cost.

The council has also responded to some concerns raised in the proposal, with plans to extend parking charges to Saturdays at Bath Hill East car park in Keynsham no longer going ahead.

The council said feedback from residents and local businesses highlighted fears about the impact on town centre footfall and affordability, prompting a rethink.

Councillor Manda Rigby shared: "After careful consideration of the feedback, we've decided to move forward with some of the recommended changes, and we will go out to seek further views on more detailed proposals."

The next stage will be a formal Traffic Regulation Order consultation, which is due to take place later this spring.

The council explained the new parking changes aimed to encourage people to own smaller cars, arguing that larger vehicles create safety risks and cause problems on the city's narrow streets.

It added that SUVs and other large vehicles pose greater dangers to pedestrians and cyclists because of higher bonnets and larger blind spots.

The plans also include a new rule requiring vehicles to have a valid MOT to qualify for a permit, which would help tackle unsafe cars on the road.