THE system of parking at Trowbridge's County Hall where Wiltshire Councillors get priority over staff members when lengthy meetings are on should be scrapped, says a local businessman.

Scholars owner and Trowbridge Cllr Edward Kirk says that when there is a full council meeting at County Hall, Wiltshire Council staff priority car parking permit holders are required to vacate their parking, in order to accommodate Wiltshire councillors.

He says that councillors do not have any need for this privilege.

"Two parking enforcement officers are deployed to ensure that only Wiltshire Councillors have access to this parking. As Councillors, we are attending an all-day meeting and therefore certainly do not have any need for this privilege," he said.

"In my view this is in breach of the Corporate Directors’ parking criteria. As a Wiltshire Councillor, I believe it would be far more appropriate for councillors to park in Lovemead car park and our free parking permits allow this.

"Hopefully this would also bring the Town Centre into the minds of Wiltshire Council and with Trowbridge Car Parking at 12.9 per cent occupancy we have no shortage of spaces."

Cllr Kirk also believes that free parking spaces that Wiltshire Council councillors and staff enjoy should be extended to residents too.

With Wiltshire Council proposing to nearly double season ticket prices and to introduce parking charges on Sundays and bank holidays, he has said that these free parking privileges should be scrapped or everyone should get free parking.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: "When an event is held in County Hall where a large number of people are expected to attend, especially one where people are likely to be coming from many parts of the county, we are able to suspend normal parking policies to enable people to park more conveniently.

"This doesn’t just apply to full council, we also block out parking spaces for other major events such as the Wiltshire Assembly or parish and town council events.

"We give advance notice to staff so they can make alternative arrangements on the day and our technology means staff can work from home or another hub for the day and there is no disruption to service."