Proposed changes to parking in streets and roads in and around Trowbridge town centre could drive people to make more use of out-of-town shopping centres, it is claimed.
Mike Lojko, 69, who has traded as an antiques dealer in Church Street for more than 20 years, says Wiltshire Council is “doing nothing” to help town centre retailers.
He claims that people who live and work in the town and those who visit to shop are being hit by a local authority double whammy.
Charges for town centre car parks were increased last year and now the council wants to impose new restrictions on on-street parking and waiting.
Mr Lojko said: “There are 67 empty shops in Trowbridge town centre. They ought to do something for the shops.
“All they are doing is putting up the cost of using the town centre car parks and then imposing more restrictions on on-street parking, loading and no waiting.”
Mr Lojko claims he is already having to pay the increased charge for an annual permit to use the Lovemead car park.
“Now they’ve just put new yellow lines outside my shop in Church Street to indicate no loading at any time.
“All they are doing is encouraging people to make more use of out-of-town shopping centres.”
The council has launched a review of parking and waiting restrictions in more than 30 streets and roads in Trowbridge, with consultation closing on May 1.
The move follows a drop in income from council-owned car parks following the increased charges introduced last year.
Many drivers have since shunned the car parks in favour of finding places to park in streets and roads close to the town centre.
If the proposals go ahead, they are likely to result in new limits of where people can park and extensions to no waiting restrictions.
They will also affect drivers who wish to load and unload, no stopping outside school entrances, and parking spaces for disabled Blue Badge holders and taxi rank drivers.
Some of the changes have been requested by Trowbridge Town Council to help reduce the volume of traffic into and out of the town centre.
Among the changes proposed are plans to impose Zone B residents-only permit parking in parts of Ashton Street and Polebarn Road, and Zone C permit holders only parking in parts of Court Street.
Cllr Stewart Palmen, the leader of Trowbridge Town Council, said: “I am pleased to see proposals for resident-only parking in Polebarn Road and permit holders only parking in Court Street.
“The residents in Polebarn Road are worried about parking spaces being taken by residents of Courtfield House once that development is complete.
“There are mixed opinions on some streets. Some people want double yellow lines and others don’t. It will be interesting to see what the consultation comes up with.”
The proposed changes also include no stopping and no waiting restrictions on Wingfield Road near Millington Drive and disabled Blue Badge holders only parking on the southwest and northeast sides of Melton Road.
Using the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Wiltshire Council has also varied the scale of charges for resident-only permits for off-street parking in Trowbridge car parks.
New charges for annual resident parking permits for its car parks in Bradford Road, Lovemead, Broad Street, and Court Street will come into force from Monday, April 24.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, said, “Following requests from residents and Trowbridge Town Council, we have developed proposals for new and amended restrictions in the town as part of a wider programme of accessibility improvements.
"The proposals include changes to loading bays, the introduction of residents parking, protecting junctions and accesses in the interest of highway safety and in some cases the removal of restrictions.
“The proposals have been supported through the Trowbridge Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG), who have agreed funding for consultation and implementation.
“All processes regarding Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are carried out following the statutory regulations set out in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
"Public notices regarding the proposed changes have been published in local newspapers and at on site locations.”
Details of the proposed scheme may be seen at Trowbridge Library, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, until May 1.
Documents can be viewed online here.
Comments should be sent in writing or via the website to reach the Sustainable Transport Group by May 1, quoting reference HKB/TRO/TROW.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel