Wiltshire Council reject reversing car parking charges

Even though we are fast approaching December and the season of goodwill, it seems that as far as car parking charges are concerned there is very little goodwill coming from Wiltshire Council.

The Conservative administration of Wiltshire Council yesterday refused to agree to a proposal to introduce one hour's free parking in Wiltshire towns. They ignored pleas from traders and Chambers of Commerce, keen to reinvigorate Wiltshire's car parks, particularly during the run-up to Christmas.

Instead, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury will see a 10p reduction in the first hour's charge, whereas other towns including Warminster will see no reduction. Wiltshire Council also agreed to reduce the cost of a season ticket and resident's permit by 20%.

This decision will remain in place until 2014, but this is unlikely to put off thousands of Wiltshire residents who have been campaigning on this issue for months.

At the full council meeting in Salisbury's City Hall yesterday, Tuesday 8 November, a final plea to sway the council was made by Mike Williams, president of the Wessex Chambers of Commerce. He said, "We will not accept the council's views that car parking charges are not affecting businesses in our towns."

Both Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors attacked the plans, with suggestions for either intoducing as a minimum concession 30 minutes' free parking, or alternatively handing control of car parks over to local communities, both being rejected.

However, Wiltshire Council bosses were defiant in their approach on car parking charges. Councillor Dick Tonge, cabinet member for highways, said "There is no evidence that reducing the charges would have any effect."

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said "We have listened to local residents and businesses and I hope that we can now move forward and promote everything our excellent shopping centres have to offer."

Warminster Town Council have taken their own steps to support local traders who are working hard to keep their businesses alive in these very difficult times. Whereas Wiltshire Council have agreed to provide one hour's free parking between 19 and 24 December, Warminster is offering drivers two hours free parking for the whole of December via the Warminster Parking Partnership. However, from January onwards, normal service resumes...and one imagine the battle over car parking charges will rage on into 2012.