FED up Trowbridge councillors have put forward plans to run several car parks in the town so that locals don’t have to put up with the ‘ludicrous’ parking charge proposals.

Wiltshire Council’s plans to introduce parking charges on Sundays and bank holidays, as well as nearly doubling season ticket prices, has been heavily criticised across the county.

Town councillors said it makes no business sense to hike up prices in car parks, when some Trowbridge ones have an occupancy rate of under 10 per cent.

Therefore, they are now seeking a community asset transfer, from Wiltshire Council, to run the Bradford Road, Broad Street Crescent and the Upper Broad Street car parks, as they say they could make a better job of it.

At the council’s annual meeting, Cllr Graham Payne said: “Wiltshire Council should say why underused car parks that have occupancy rates at three per cent should be considered for charges across the board that matches other ones.

“It seems illogical. It would demonstrate the law of diminishing returns.”

Cllr Edward Kirk said: “Trowbridge Town Council would manage the car parks better than Wiltshire Council. I think it is something we owe for the town, whatever the cost.”

Town clerk Lance Allan added that they would look to take all of the council-owned car parks in the town.

The Trowbridge Chamber has started a petition, protesting against Wiltshire Council’s car parking proposals.

A council spokesman said: “We already allocate a number of free parking spaces to the town council for them to support initiatives they feel appropriate.

“We are pleased to work with local communities with offering parking incentive schemes.

“We work with many towns and business across the county currently who fund free parking opportunities and shopper redemption schemes.

“We’d be pleased to discuss any of these arrangements with the town council.