SHOPPERS in Westbury are being encouraged to take advantage of the return of two hours’ free parking and support local businesses in the town centre as the trial period for the scheme was launched last week.
Last year, Westbury Town Council voted overwhelmingly to fund two free hours’ parking in the High Street, Warminster Road and Westfield House car parks, and now councillors are encouraging local shoppers to take full advantage of the two hours’ free parking and in turn support local businesses in the town.
Deputy mayor, cllr Ian Cunningham said, “As this is a year’s trial we are particularly keen that people who have said this would be a good idea and would help revive the town centre vote with their tyres and actually use the free two hours to access shops and services in Westbury.
“We hope this scheme will be a success and that all those people who have told us that they don’t use Westbury’s town centre because of the parking charges will now support the town centre.
“We see the free parking as a way to help local businesses flourish.”
The scheme has been welcomed by local shopkeepers and traders who say parking charges have hit the town centre.
The two hours free has been paticularly welcomed as it gives time for browsing and a coffee.
The scheme will cost the town council £35,727 a year, the sum it will have to pay to the car parks’ owners, Wiltshire Council, to cover the amount it would expect to receive in parking fees.
Cllr Cunningham added the town council wanted to remind local motorists about the scheme’s operation.
“We are also keen to remind people that Wiltshire Council’s parking enforcement will continue and in order to protect their revenue, officers will be looking for ‘abuse’ of the free parking,” he said.
“Remember that the rules have not changed – the only difference is that if you want to stay for up to two hours you can “buy” a ticket for two hours without paying (it’s paid for by Westbury Town Council). Those without a valid ticket or other suitable permit will be subject to penalty charges as before – don’t be tempted to park for free without getting a free ticket from the machines – it could be a very expensive stop.
“Stays of longer than two hours need a single ticket for the entire duration of their stay. This is very important. You cannot add one ticket to another (you couldn’t do this before the free two hours either, as some motorist will already know to their cost). When your ticket expires you must leave that car park and not return for an hour. This is already the rule, but we are worried that some people might try to use a two-hour ticket and then buy another one to “get my free two hours”. Motorists can’t do this – the two hours free is only available to those who stay in the car park for up to two hours and then leave.
“Those wishing to stay longer than two hours must buy a ticket for the whole of their stay. Cars that are seen back in the car park with a new ticket (free or paid for) that begins within an hour of a previously recorded ticket’s expiry (free or paid) will be subject to a penalty.
“We hope everyone will understand that the parking rules are the same – it’s just that a stay of up to two hours will be priced as “free”. It is not the intention that people who want to stay all day should get any discount by using free tickets for parts of their stay.”
