FREE parking in Trowbridge will be a thing of the past if the sale of the multi-storey car park in St Stephen’s Place goes ahead, according to a concerned councillor.

Cllr Edward Kirk is appealing to members of the public to write to Wiltshire Council to stop them from selling the car park to APAM, the company who manages Castle Place, and so keep free parking in the town.

There is currently a covenant in place which says no charges can be implemented for parking while it is under the ownership of Wiltshire Council. However if the car park is sold to APAM, this covenant will be invalid and charges are likely to be imposed.

It is thought the car park could be sold for as much as £2 million and the new owners will be likely to redevelop it long term.

The town council also agreed this week to write to APAM to request that they reconsider the purchase.

Cllr Kirk said: “It is clear that users of the car park still believe that covenant cannot be broken and charges introduced, which is not the case.

“Whilst I accept that Wiltshire Council does not have a legal obligation to the people of Trowbridge to maintain the free parking provision outlined by the covenant, it certainly does have a moral obligation to.

“My concern is not only that Wiltshire Council will break the promise of free parking in allowing the sale, but that they will give away this town asset for a derisory fee. On Wiltshire Council’s own parking space valuation the multi-storey would be worth over £6 million.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “The car park is one of four sites in Wiltshire which it was agreed to consider for sale to support investment in communities. Wiltshire Council’s proposal to sell the sites is part of a wider programme to realise around £30m in capital receipts between now and the end of 2020/21.

“Money from the sales will be invested in key areas including better roads, waste collection and recycling, extra care homes, health and wellbeing centres and initiatives to provide improved customer access to council services.

“At a cabinet meeting on November 27 2018, members agreed in principle the sale of four sites including St Stephen’s Car Park in Trowbridge. Final terms of any sale are being agreed with interested parties.”