PARKING charges in Wiltshire Council car parks are to go up on the 1st September.
Blue Badge holders will also have to pay for the first time in a move that was widely condemned when the news was announced earlier this year.
In Westbury, the town council pay for one hour’s free parking in the town centre car parks.
In a statement issued on Friday, Wiltshire Council said, “Following a public consultation, Wiltshire Council has confirmed changes to some parking charges in the county will begin from 1 September.
“The changes will see an extra 10p per hour per tariff added to all car parking charges in Wiltshire Council car parks; an inflationary increase to car park season tickets (and) the introduction of charges for Blue Badge holders in all council car parks.
“The changes were agreed by the council in February, as part of the budget-making process for the financial year 2022/23. The fees have been changed to better reflect current inflation levels and in response to some rising operational costs.
“As part of the consultation process for these changes, the council received 389 responses from members of the public, and after considering these responses, the final decision was then made by cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for transport.”
Cllr Dr McClelland said, These changes were agreed in February as part of our budget-making process to help us better reflect current inflation levels.
“It was a difficult decision, but we have not increased parking charges in four years, and we have no intention of doing so again in the next four years.
“We have listened to residents’ feedback on these changes and have decided now to make these adjustments to parking charges and follow the strategy set out in our Local Transport Plan.
“These changes, which are evidence-based as set out in our business plan, will enable us to continue to invest in both parking and vital services in Wiltshire.”
To find out more about parking charges in Wiltshire, people should go to: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parking
