Parking charges at four council-run car parks in Wells could change from December under Somerset Council's proposed new county-wide system.

The authority wants to replace the different charging arrangements inherited from Somerset's former district councils with a five-tier framework intended to create a more consistent approach across the county.

The Wells car parks covered by the review are Princes Road, South Street, Tucker Street and Union Street.

The proposed tariffs and individual tier allocations still need formal approval from Somerset Council's Executive, which is due to consider the parking review on Wednesday, 23 September.

If approved, changes at existing pay-and-display car parks could begin from the start of December after the necessary legal and operational work is completed.

At present, prices vary considerably between the four Wells sites.

Union Street, which is a short-stay car park with a maximum stay of three hours, currently costs £1.30 for one hour, £1.90 for two hours and £3 for three hours.

Tucker Street is a longer-stay option, with current charges including £2.20 for four hours and £3.60 for the day.

Princes Road is also used for longer stays and includes parking for cars, coaches and larger vehicles, while South Street operates as a short-stay car park.

Somerset Council says the tier system is intended to take account of factors including location, demand, turnover, the economic role of individual car parks and local circumstances.

The wider review follows local government reorganisation, which left the new unitary authority with different parking policies and tariffs inherited from the former district councils.

Council officers say a single framework would make charging arrangements more consistent across Somerset while still allowing different types of car park to be placed in different tiers.

The changes being considered for December relate to existing chargeable car parks.

Separate work on currently free car parks, on-street parking, permits and concessions is due to involve further local engagement before any decisions are taken.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council's lead member for highways and transport, has said the wider review is "fundamentally about fairness and consistency across Somerset".

If the Executive approves the new tariffs, the council will publish a new Off-Street Parking Places Order, followed by a 21-day statutory notice period during which objections can be submitted and considered.

The full Somerset parking review can be viewed on the council's website.

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