A 10p cut in car parking charges in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Salisbury will come into effect on Monday.

Wiltshire Council has come under scrutiny over the past few months over its decision to increase car parking charges by up to 300 per cent in some car parks.

At a showdown in November council leader Jane Scott made the 10p concession to appease traders who have seen a sharp fall in business.

The changes are being brought in swiftly despite the law dictating that the council has to give a formal period of notice before permanent changes to car parking charges can take place.

This notice process has been implemented and the revised charges will formally come into force on December 19. While this statutory process is taking place, the council is discounting the charges to avoid the delay.

Council leader Jane Scott said: “We want to make sure these charges are reduced as quickly as possible and avoid the delay caused by the traffic regulation order process.

"We have made our decision to discount the charges in these car parks and we have found a way to cut red tape so as many visitors as possible are encouraged to use these shopping centres which will help to reinvigorate the local economy.”