BBC Points West Archive on Demand

We all know that parking in Bath has never been easy, but it is tempting to think that it has only become a nightmare in more recent years.

Not a bit of it. In 1965, the City Council was on the verge of introducing new parking restrictions, particularly aimed at Bath's business community which it deemed was causing a headache for everyone else looking for somewhere to park.

1965: parked cars in Bath

In the spring of 1966, the council was hoping to put into effect hour long waiting times, parking meters and wardens - together with 900 car parking spaces on the edges of the city centre - in the hope of dissuading commuters from leaving their vehicles outside their places of work all day.

This Points West report, broadcast in November 1966, sees our intrepid reporter on the outskirts gamely walking to 'work' (indicated by a briefcase under the arm) and laying out the arguments for and against.

In the course of the film, we are introduced to what we can only assume must be a fair and balanced cross section of the business community in Bath - together with visitors to Bath, expounding their views on the City fathers' plans.

Naturally, because this is 1966, there isn't a single woman's viewpoint expressed - business or otherwise!

It seems incredible that a simple report about cutting back on parking spaces can reveal so much about a society at a particular point in its evolution.

Speaking his mind...

How far we've come in the last 40 years!

We may be less sexist and, certainly, there may be more women running their own businesses in Bath and beyond, but it seems we have still to work out how best to deal with our desire to park as close as possible to the action, whether we're at work, rest or play.

Back in 1966 Bath City Council was making a start; today, according to the Visit Bath website, parking your car in the city centre for longer than allowed could be a costly affair.

"You will be towed away if you do not observe the following rules:

"Not displaying a valid paid ticket, parking on double yellow lines at any time, parking on single yellow lines at restricted times. If you are towed away it will cost you over £100 to get your car back plus a £25 parking fine."

Rules indeed - and ones that no doubt would have made our Bath businessmen boil over in their doubled-breasted suits way back in 1966!

More films from BBC Points West

• Use the links on the right to other local Where I Live sites to see more archive film from Points West.