Review of countywide car parking charges under way (From Wiltshire Times)

Review of countywide car parking charges under way

7:40am Wednesday 13th January 2010 in News By Craig Evry

Car parking charges in Trowbridge could be increased to bring them into line with other large Wiltshire towns.

Wiltshire Council is proposing to create four bands of car parking charges, with Salisbury in band one, Trowbridge, Devizes and Chippenham in band two, other market towns in band three and small towns and villages in band four.

At the moment, up to two hours parking in Trowbridge costs 80p, compared to £1.10 at most of the council-owned car parks in Devizes and Chippenham.

When it comes to parking all day (over eight hours), motorists pay £3.60 in Trowbridge, compared to at least £4.90 in Chippenham.

Initially it was proposed to allow the new Area Boards to make the decision on the level of charges in their own community, with a maximum level set within each band.

It would have meant those Area Boards charging the maximum amount, could then have more of the revenue back for specified transport projects in their area, but could also face the prospect of damaging town centre trade.

At an Environment Select Committee meeting in County Hall on Tuesday, councillors said the idea of Area Boards setting parking charges was “dangerous” and would pitch towns against each other.

Cllr Chris Humphries said: “It will set community against community and create such bad feeling. It’s just not worth the effort.”

Cllr Alan Hill added: “I do not think it is appropriate that Area Boards should have the final decision over parking charges.”

But Cllr Ian McLennan said Area Boards were the ideal place to make the decision.

He said it was unfair that people in Salisbury, for example, should pay more for parking than elsewhere in Wiltshire.

The select committee voted to amend the proposal, suggesting the Area Boards should be involved in the consultation and make a recommendation to the executive, through the portfolio holder.

Parish and town councils could also be given the chance to take over car parks in their towns and villages if they want to.

Cllr Chuck Berry said he felt this could be the answer for some communities opposed to parking charges.

“The councils that wish to remove themselves from harmonisation could be allowed to take on the car parking and therefore subsidise them themselves,” he said.

A delegation from Mere Parish Council and the business community in Mere were at the meeting to protest against charges, with businesswoman Barbara Hewitt, a member of the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce, saying charges would be ‘a nail in the coffin’.

Cllr Dick Tonge, the Cabinet member for car parking, said no decisions had been made about pricing or free parking in any Wiltshire town or village.

Wiltshire Council’s consultants Mouchel have been given a brief to review various aspects of parking, including parking charges and residential parking zones.

Mouchel’s review will be the subject of a public consultation in April and May.

A final Local Transport Plan, which will include charging levels, is expected by March next year.

For a full break down of penalty notices issued in every west Wiltshire town and village, and the amount of revenue raised for Wiltshire Council as a result, see this Friday's Wiltshire Times.