Wiltshire Council adjusts parking charges and hours following public consultation
Parking fees to rise in September amid inflation and revised proposals
Wiltshire Council is set to alter parking charges and arrangements starting next month, following feedback from a public consultation that received over 1,700 responses.
From 1st September, pay and display parking charges will rise by 20%, rounded to the nearest 10p, amid inflation rates that have increased by approximately 28% since 2022.
Season tickets and permits will also see price changes aligned with new tariffs, although they remain significantly discounted compared to normal daily rates.
Adjustments to parking hours reflect the differentiation between short- and long-stay car parks and align with Wiltshire's broader transport goals.
While some proposed extensions to charging hours have been revised, Sunday charging will now begin at 10am instead of the proposed 7am to support leisure and community activities.
Short-stay parking charges will extend to 7am-7pm, with long-stay car parks retaining the 8am-6pm schedule.
Additionally, selected council-owned car parks like County Hall in Trowbridge and the Bridge Centre in Chippenham will introduce weekend fees.
Sunday tariffs in short-stay parking will match weekday rates, with long-stay sites maintaining a day-rate structure.
Some locations, such as The Maltings car park in Salisbury and on-street parking in Salisbury, Malmesbury, and Marlborough, remain unchanged in respect to existing hours and Sunday charges.
Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, explained the necessity behind these changes due to inflation and the need to support transport services.
He mentioned these measures balance community support with effective parking management and continuous investment in transport infrastructure.
Smith highlighted Wiltshire's commitment to enhancing public transport options under Our Wiltshire Plan.