Wiltshire motorists face triple whammy over parking charges

Motorists face a triple whammy of pricier parking tickets, longer chargeable hours, and a hike in Sunday tariffs if plans being considered by Wiltshire Council are adopted.

On Thursday, January 15 the council’s environment select committee will consider new Parking Plan and Tariff proposals.

The Wiltshire Council Parking Plan 2026 to 2030 proposes an increase in parking charges of 20 per cent plus a nearest 10p charge, an extension to the chargeable parking hours to between 7am and 7pm, and a change to Sunday parking charges to bring them in line with weekend rates.

For residents with parking permits, the cost of the service would rise in line with pay and display charges.

And motorists in Salisbury will be hit with the return of on-street parking fees on Sundays.

The plan also proposes a biannual review of parking charges, noting that parking fees have not increased since 2022, while inflation has risen by 20 per cent over that time.

The council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy includes a requirement for additional parking income of £375,000 in 2026/7 and a further £375,000 in 2027/8.

In 2025, the council removed charges for Blue Badge Holders, with an assumed lost income of £40,000.

Parking is chargeable at every public-run car park in Wiltshire, apart from the St Stephen’s Place multi-storey in Trowbridge, which is currently closed for maintenance and earmarked for demolition.

In some market towns and villages, town and parish councils pay Wiltshire Council to be able to offer free parking.

Parking in Chippenham and Salisbury currently costs between 70p and £1.25 for one hour, and between £6.60 and £9 per day.

All-day parking on Sunday costs £1.40 or £1.90, depending on the car park.

Under the proposed tariffs, an hour’s parking would increase to between 90p and £2 per hour, and £7.10 to £11.70 all day. Weekday rates would apply on Sundays.

In Corsham, Melksham and Warminster parking costs between 40p and 50p an hour, and between £3.50 and £7.70 for all-day parking. All-day Sunday parking costs 70p.

Under the proposed tariffs, an hour’s parking would increase to between 50p and 70p an hour, and between £4.20 and £9.10 for all-day parking. Weekday rates would apply on Sundays.

Parking in Wiltshire towns and the city of Salisbury would still be cheaper, under the new tariffs, than Swindon, which charges motorists between 90p and £1.80 to park for an hour and between £4.60 and £47 to park all day.

Swindon Borough Council also charges £2.30 for evening parking.

The officers’ report to councillors considers the risks of increasing or not increasing parking charges.

Listed among the risks of not raising charges is that “the council would need to find additional, potentially more drastic, savings from elsewhere, which can be challenging to achieve and may face public resistance.”

However, the report’s authors accept that “introducing parking charges presents several risks for a council, primarily concerning negative impacts on local businesses and high streets, public backlash, and reputational damage.

“Parking charges are unpopular, leading to public complaints, petitions, and media criticism. Councils can be accused of treating motorists as “cash cows” to fill budget gaps.”

Among the proposed benefits of increased parking charges, says the report, is issuing its parking enforcement team with a fleet of electric vehicles.

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