Residents are handing over considerably more money for parking permits in North Somerset than they were just a year ago, new figures have revealed.
A dramatic rise in the number of permits being issued has transformed the amount of income generated for North Somerset Council, with new parking schemes in Weston-super-Mare and Portishead contributing to the increase.
North Somerset Council's income from residential parking permits has rocketed by 173 per cent in twelve months. The authority brought in £33,312.30 from residential permits during 2025/26, up by more than £21,000 from £12,180.42 the previous year.
It means the council collected a combined £45,492.72 from residential parking permits across the two financial years.
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Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by online used car retailer cinch show North Somerset recorded the second-largest percentage increase among 105 councils included in its two-year analysis.
The rise in revenue coincided with an even steeper increase in the number of permits being issued.
A total of 146 residential parking permits were issued in North Somerset during 2024/25.
By 2025/26, that figure had more than tripled to 514, representing an increase of 252 per cent.
Rise in parking permit schemes behind revenue boost
However, North Somerset Council said the dramatic increase was largely the result of new resident parking schemes being introduced, rather than a rise in the standard price residents pay for their first permit.
One of the significant changes came in early 2026, when the council launched a pilot residential parking scheme in Weston-super-Mare.
The scheme included around 400 resident permit allocations, alongside permits for businesses.
A smaller resident permit scheme was also introduced at Roath Road car park in Portishead, which also contributed to the increased number of permits.
These were added to existing resident parking permit schemes operating in Leigh Woods and Weston town centre.
Despite the substantial increase in income, the council's standard charge for a first residential parking permit has remained at £60 a year across 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Experts say figures highlight rising costs for motorists
Ben Welham, motoring expert at cinch, said councils faced a challenge in balancing the management of parking spaces with the cost to motorists.
He said: “Permits can play an important role in managing limited parking space, but councils must strike a fair balance between accessibility and affordability.
“This is particularly important for households that rely on more than one vehicle, as second and subsequent permits can come at a considerable premium.
“For anyone budgeting for the cost of running a car, residential permits are increasingly another expense to factor in alongside fuel, insurance and maintenance.”
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