WILTSHIRE councillors for Westbury, Gordon King and Carole King, are angry over Wiltshire Council’s decision to raise car parking permit charges in Westbury.
Wiltshire Council’s cabinet used their powers under Section 32c of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 to vary (raise) the scale of charges for residential car parking permits.
Charges were raised from £26 to £45 per month previously, but now have been raised again to £62.50 per month at Warminster Road car park and £75 per month at High Street and Westfield House car parks, with effect from 19th November.
After the first price increase, a permit holder in Warminster Road said, “I find it a great shame that, rather than support householders and Council Tax payers who are not fortunate enough to have driveways, Wiltshire Council just seeks to cream money off them instead.”
Gordon King said, “These increases represent a 140% increase at Warminster Road and 188% at High Street and Westfield House in 12 months – which is nothing less than outrageous. If the first increase caused distress, this increase is both unnecessary and untimely as families prepare for the Christmas holidays and try to balance already-stretched budgets in the new year.
“Whilst we acknowledge that the council has to balance its budget, hitting what is an essentially captive group, (because they live in town houses along A350), is unfair and unjust; some families will find it hard to make up the difference.
“I warned about the increase of on-street parking adding to the stress on already overwhelmed estate roads and all of my predictions are coming true.”
Carole King added, “Residents who live in over 55s’ developments, who are mainly retired people, also find these charges unaffordable. Some may give up their cars and driving altogether, which is not good for their independence or wellbeing. We shall be talking to Wiltshire Council about introducing concessionary rates for the elderly and financially vulnerable, in order to find some justice in this affair.”
Cllr Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways said, “The season ticket price change, which will be brought in on 19 November, has been planned and well-documented for some time, and was introduced following detailed consultation in 2017. Residents’ permits will increase in price over the next four years across the county, to bring them into line with the cost of a season ticket. The first increase was introduced on 19 November 2018 and the last is due on the same day in 2021.
“We didn’t want to have duplicate schemes operating in our car parks at different prices – residents’ permits alongside season tickets – so we are gradually aligning their rates, which we believe is fair.
“Season tickets still offer a considerable saving against the all-day charge in our car parks.”
