SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is making more money than originally predicted from its car parks in Thornbury, new figures show.
Usage and income data from the four car parks where charges were introduced last May, shared with traders in February, show that the authority expects to make £313,831 from current financial year – about £53,100 more than originally budgeted.
The amount collected at each car park varies wildly from the predictions, with the Castle Court short stay car park forecast to bring in £34,474.17 – more than £18,300 above the initial prediction, while the same car park’s long stay spaces are forecast to bring in £46,014 – around £8,750 less than budgeted.
At Rock Street (pictured above), short stay spaces are forecast to bring in just over £62,500 up until the end of the financial year – more than £19,200 above the budgeted amount.
But long stay spaces are now expected to raise just over £90,500 – more than £40,300 below the amount budgeted for by the council, as commuters take their cars elsewhere.
The St Mary Street car park is forecast to bring in just over £80,300 for the council, more than £64,00 above budget.
The Voice reported last month that the council’s overall income from charges at 22 of its car parks, is forecast at £557,000 for the 2025-26 financial year – about 30% below the £800,000 target.
However a spokesperson said that precise usage of the car parks was not recorded before charges were introduced, so it is not possible to compare current numbers with last year.
Traders in some areas of the district say business is down by up to 40% since the charges were introduced last May, and share pictures of rows of empty spaces.
The council spokesperson added: “Crucially, the revenues we have generated are able to relieve some of the ongoing pressure on our budgets.”
A further report on the charges will be published after the end of the financial year.