WILTSHIRE Council has rejected calls for a safety barrier on the top of the multi-storey car park at St Stephen’s Place in Trowbridge.

The council has “no current plans” to install barriers – despite a plea from the daughter of a suicide victim for safety measures to be installed to stop others from taking their own lives.

Hannah-Grace Elliott has launched a petition call for a barrier after her 55-year-old father Michael Elliott died after falling from the car park on September 30 last year.

She said: “I’m calling on Wiltshire Council to openly investigate the possibility of installing anti-suicide measures at their St Stephen’s Place multi-storey car park in Trowbridge, following a number of suicides and many more attempts there since it was built."Action must be taken to try and prevent future suicides at this known spot.

“In September 2019, my father Michael Elliott – who was struggling to cope with his mental health after the death of his mother and sister – took his own life, falling from the roof of this car park.

“In 2005, Wiltshire Council discussed installing safety measures to prevent suicides, however, nothing was done. The council said that “more than 400 car parking spaces would be lost for two years” – clearly this shows they prioritise consumerism over the protection of our society's most vulnerable people. And look at the result so far.

“An investment was recently made in St Stephens Place by building a new cinema complex and a wide range of restaurants, yet still have not resolved this problem – one which means lives are being lost.

“As a community, we deserve better. By signing this petition, we can make our voices heard and commemorate those whose lives have been lost.”

The free car park is run by Wiltshire Council which is plans to sell it to the owners of the Castle Place shopping centre.

Miss Elliott added: "What we must ask ourselves as a community is why, if this was a prominent issue 15 years ago, have the council not ensured the safety of their community efficiently?"Miss Elliott's petition has so far gathered more than 1,750 signatures calling on action from the Trowbridge mayor, Cllr David Cavill, and the local authority.

Cllr Cavill said: "I've just been made aware and will examine the matter carefully and discuss it with Wiltshire Council which currently has responsibility as owners of St Stephen's Place car park.

"She need not have started a petition for I am always very pleased to discuss any matters of concern directly with those affected."Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for highways, Bridget Wayman, said: "We understand there are concerns following the recent incident and we have placed information and advice on how people can be supported, including information from the Samaritans. We have no current plans to make any changes to the car park.

"However, we will continue to work with the community and support groups which provide mental health support."

To sign Miss Elliott’s petition, go to http://chng.it/2JdNvbt99C