Totterdown residents' parking scheme
Bristol City Council is proposing a residents' parking scheme (RPS) for Totterdown, alongside changes to streets in the area under the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood. This guide sets out what's proposed, what permits cost in Bristol's existing schemes, and how to have your say. It takes no position for or against the scheme.
Quick answer
- Deadline: the council's survey on a Totterdown residents' parking scheme closes on 5 November 2026. It asks about the scheme's operating hours and boundaries. [1]
- Why now: the council says most people in Totterdown who answered its earlier Liveable Neighbourhood consultation asked for a parking scheme. [1]
- Cost: in Bristol's existing schemes, a first resident permit costs £129 a year for most cars, a second £233 and a third £581. Visitor permits are £2 a day in most areas. [2]
- Liveable Neighbourhood: after more than 4,000 consultation responses, the council scaled back its plans for Totterdown. Street changes are due to start from late 2026 and finish by the end of 2027. [3] [4] [5]
What is being proposed for Totterdown?
A residents' parking scheme sets aside on-street parking for people who live in an area, usually through permits, during set hours. The council's consultation asks Totterdown residents, businesses and visitors what they think of the scheme's proposed operating hours and its proposed boundaries. [1]
- Consultation: the survey is open until 5 November 2026. The council held drop-in sessions at The Harbour Totterdown on 15 October and Totterdown Baptist Church on 27 October. [1]
- Part of a wider round: Totterdown is one of several new schemes proposed in south Bristol at the same time, with Windmill Hill, The Chessels and Parson Street, and Ashton Gate, plus a matchday scheme for Ashton Vale. [6]
- Not yet decided: we haven't found a decision date, a start date or Totterdown-specific hours. We'll update this page when the council publishes them.
Which streets would the scheme cover?
The council describes the proposed Totterdown Liveable Neighbourhood as the area bounded by St Luke's Road, St John's Lane and Wells Road, and says the proposed residents' parking scheme also takes in the streets between Hill Avenue and St John's Lane. [7] Check the consultation map for your own street before you respond. [1]
How much does a residents' parking permit cost in Bristol?
Bristol's permit prices changed on 8 April 2026. The council hasn't set separate prices for Totterdown, so these are the current rates in existing schemes. [2]
| Permit | Cost |
|---|---|
| First permit, vehicle tax bands A to K | £129 |
| First permit, bands L to M | £193 |
| First permit, registered before March 2001 or no band | £129 |
| Second permit | £233 |
| Third permit | £581 |
| Visitor permit (most areas) | £2.00 a day |
- How many: most homes in a scheme can apply for up to three permits. Homes on private roads can have one. [8]
- Visitor permits are valid for one day, and unused ones expire 12 months after they're issued. [2]
What is the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood?
The South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (SBLN) is a council scheme to cut through-traffic and make streets safer for walking and cycling. It covers Southville, Bedminster, Ashton Vale, Malago Vale, Windmill Hill and part of Totterdown. [9]
- Consultation: the council received more than 4,000 responses and published the results in May 2026. [3]
- Totterdown response: South Bristol Voice reported that only 27% of respondents agreed with the plans for Totterdown. [10] Papers for TRESA's May 2026 meeting show more support for one of the options, with 64% agreeing and 25% disagreeing, while a permanent one-way on Cambridge Street was unpopular. [11]
- East Totterdown: the same papers say the council is developing a residents' parking scheme for Totterdown, but not for East Totterdown. [11]
- What changed: the council said schemes would not go ahead in Totterdown East, Perretts Park or Malago Vale, and it removed some proposed one-way streets and through-traffic measures in Totterdown and Southville. [4] [9]
- Public spaces: the council says it's working with communities and businesses in Totterdown on designs for new public spaces. [9]
- Timing: any street changes are due to start from late 2026 and be finished by the end of 2027. [5]
How do I have my say?
- Read the proposals and map on the council's Totterdown Residents' Parking Scheme page. [1]
- Complete the survey before it closes on 5 November 2026.
- For local discussion, the residents' association TRESA covers parking and transport at its public meetings. [12]
Driving through the area? See the Clean Air Zone boundary at Three Lamps.
Sources
- Totterdown Residents' Parking Scheme consultation, Bristol City Council: bristol.gov.uk
- Residents' and visitors' parking permits price increase, Bristol City Council: bristol.gov.uk
- South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods consultation report, Bristol City Council, May 2026: bristol.gov.uk
- South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood latest news, Bristol City Council: bristol.gov.uk
- About the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, Bristol City Council: bristol.gov.uk
- Proposed Residents' Parking Schemes and parking changes, Bristol City Council: bristol.gov.uk
- South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods proposals, Bristol City Council: bristol.gov.uk
- Residents' and visitors' parking permits cost and allocation, Bristol City Council: bristol.gov.uk
- Revised South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods designs revealed, Bristol24/7: bristol247.com
- Bristol Labour responds to South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood consultation results, South Bristol Voice, 7 May 2026: southbristolvoice.co.uk
- TRESA public meeting papers, 17 May 2026: tresa.org.uk
- TRESA, Totterdown Residents' Environmental and Social Action: tresa.org.uk