MEMBERS of the clergy from churches around the county are growing increasingly concerned for the elderly members of their congregations as Sunday parking charges are planned by Wiltshire Council.

Churches fear that attending Sunday services will become much more difficult now Wiltshire Council is planning to impose the new car park charges as private parking and street parking are limited.

Westbury mayor Cllr Gordon King has been encouraging members of churches to voice their objections.

He said: “Whilst I understand and sympathise with Wiltshire Council’s need to raise money to maintain services, the imposition of car park charges on a Sunday is inappropriate and I call upon the cabinet member to reject the recommendation and look to other means of securing income.

“A fair proportion of all church congregations are elderly and like many elderly people have mobility issues.

“Charges are therefore a source of worry which may become a barrier to them continuing to go to church.”

Rev Rob Thomas from St James Church in Trowbridge said: “A lot of our elderly folk have trouble walking, or maybe are being pushed in wheelchairs and the Church Street car park is only a short walk for them.

“Many of them spend the week on their own at home, so it is important that they come to church on a Sunday to make friends and this should be encouraged.

“The parking charges are just an additional barrier.”

Joanna Abecassis, Rector at Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon said: “I am concerned about the Sunday parking charges and I did write an objection letter to Wiltshire Council.

“We have no church parking and very little street parking, so our churchgoers, who are mostly elderly, rely on these car parks.

“It is discriminating against people who go to church, something that has been happening for centuries.

“I really think this is a mistaken strategy which will upset a lot of people and not earn the council much money.”

Wiltshire Council parking charges were increased in April, and a consultation was held to see if charges should be implemented for Sundays and bank holidays which ended in late May. A decision on this is expected to be made in the next few months.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We recognise the vital role that parking plays in supporting the local community and businesses and we carefully consider any amendments before they are introduced.

The comments regarding the proposed charges have been captured and will be considered before any decision is made on the acceptance or rejection of the proposals.

“Some towns already fund free parking schemes and this would include Sunday arrangements if charges were introduced.”