Somerset Council joins National Parking Platform scheme
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:19 · Archive
Somerset Council has joined the National Parking Platform, allowing drivers to use any app to pay for parking.
Somerset Council has formally joined the National Parking Platform (NPP), a scheme that allows drivers to use any app of their choice to pay for parking in the county's car parks and on-street spaces. Previously, motorists in Somerset had to use multiple different apps to park their cars, creating frustration and wasting time and money.
The Labour government launched the NPP in April 2025 as a not-for-profit organisation. The scheme was originally created by the Department for Transport but now operates independently, connecting local authorities and service providers through a single open platform. Somerset Council formally entered the scheme at the end of the summer, with a 'soft launch' on 22 September.
By allowing drivers to use the app of their choice, the government hopes the scheme will encourage competition among parking companies and thereby cut costs for motorists. NPP chief executive David Sinclair said the council's commitment to delivering a simpler, more flexible parking experience 'reflects exactly what the NPP is designed to achieve'. This comes ahead of Somerset Council increasing parking charges by ten per cent in January 2027 and introducing a new 'tiered' system later in the year.
How it is being reported
- Parking your car in Somerset is about to get a whole lot simplerSomerset Council is now officially park of the National Parking Platform, making it easier to use the app of your choice when parking upBridgwater Mercury · 10 Oct, 05:00
- Parking your car in Somerset is about to get a whole lot simplerSomerset Council is now officially park of the National Parking Platform, making it easier to use the app of your choice when parking upSomerset County Gazette · 10 Oct, 05:00
In this story: Somerset Council · National Parking Platform · Department for Transport · David Sinclair · Somerset
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