Free parking scheme renewed despite concerns over misuse

One hour of free car parking has been approved for 2026-27 across the High Street, Warminster Road and Westfield House car parks, despite concerns raised by Wiltshire Council over misuse of similar schemes. 

Westbury Town Councillors approved the decision at a Full Council meeting on Tuesday 5th May at the cost of £31,330, which is paid to Wiltshire Council who own the car parks.

“Westbury Town Council approves this every year because we support our local businesses,” said Mayor Carole King. “We recognise that they feel that having that hour of free parking brings in more business for them.”

The agreement comes after Wiltshire Council warned of what it described as ‘widespread abuse’ of free parking schemes.

Information provided to Westbury Town Council said officers from Wiltshire Council had identified vehicles remaining in the same bays for long periods and multiple tickets being used by the same vehicles.

It added that checks, including ticket serial numbers and tyre valve positions, suggested some vehicles were not moving during the day.

Wiltshire Council said, “This was found across all our sites offering free parking and was being carried out by predominantly workers across Wiltshire not willing to pay for parking.”

The authority said a one-ticket-per-day system has since been introduced, along with machines preventing multiple tickets being issued to the same vehicle within 24 hours.

It added, “This ensures the scheme is used for the purpose for which it was introduced, encouraging shoppers and visitors and not long-stay commuter parking.

“This also ensures going forward that town councils will be funding the scheme appropriately.”