SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is making less money than originally predicted by charging to use its car parks in Yate, new figures show.
Usage and income data from the two car parks where charges were introduced last May, shared with traders in February, show that the authority expects to collect just over £80,193.33 from them in the 2025/26 financial year – about £20,000 less than the £100,435.61 budgeted.
The Kennedy Way long stay and Yate Leisure Centre (South) car parks are among 22 across the district where charges were introduced last May.
The amount the council has collected at each car park varies wildly from the predictions, but in Yate, where there is a large, free privately-operated car park at the nearby Yate Shopping Centre, income from both is below budget.
The council expected to make £34,306.61 from Kennedy Way (above) over the first ten-and-a-half months, but now expects to make £22,420.99 based on actual usage levels – almost £12,000 less than budgeted, and a third below expectations.
At Yate Leisure Centre (South), the current forecast is £57,772.34 – around £8,300 below the £66,129 target.
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, which ends on Sunday – about 30% below the £800,000 target.
It has now supplied figures for individual areas which show that in some places, including Thornbury and Staple Hill, the council is making more money than originally predicted.
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 have frequently shared 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.”