FREE parking in Westbury town centre will remain for another year, despite an increase in parking charges enforced by Wiltshire Council across the county.
In June last year, Westbury Town Council voted overwhelmingly to fund two hours’ free parking in the High Street, Warminster Road and Westfield House car parks, in a bid to encourage more people to shop locally in the town.
The current scheme comes to an end in June, but Wiltshire Council has now announced that there will be an increase in parking charges across the county from Thursday 1st February, including the Westbury town centre parks. As a result, Westbury town councillors have voted to continue the funding of two hours’ free parking for another year until June 2019.
The cost of parking in the High Street Zone A and High Street Zone B will rise from 2hrs – £0.80 (covered by Westbury Town Council), 3hrs – £1.40, 4hrs – £2.00, 5hrs – £3.00, All Day – £5.00 to 2hrs – £0.90 (covered by Westbury Town Council), 3hrs – £1.60, 4hrs – £2.20, 5hrs – £3.40, All Day – £5.60.
The cost of parking in Warminster Road Zone A and Westfield House will rise from 2hrs – £0.70 (covered by Westbury Town Council), 3hrs – £1.20, 4hrs – £1.80, 5hrs – £2.50, All Day – £4.00 to 2hrs – £0.80 (covered by Westbury Town Council), 3hrs – £1.30, 4hrs – £2.00, 5hrs – £2.80, All Day – £4.50.
The cost of parking in Warminster Road Zone B will rise from 2hrs – £1.10 (covered by Westbury Town Council), 3hrs – £2.00, 4hrs – £2.40, 5hrs – £3.20, 8hrs – £5.20 All Day – £5.60 to 2hrs – £1.20 (covered by Westbury Town Council), 3hrs – £2.20, 4hrs – £2.70, 5hrs – £3.60, 8hrs – £5.80 All Day – £6.30.
The decision to increase charges was made by Wiltshire Council following a recent consultation that saw 63% of those who responded supported the increase.
Wiltshire Council says, “There were around 1,400 responses to the consultation into a review of car parking charges in Wiltshire, aiming to help minimise the impact of funding challenges on public transport and other services. More than six in ten of those who responded stated they thought the increase should come from an inflationary rise over other any alternative.
“The increase will also fund investment in customer service – including automatic number plate recognition for residents’ parking zones, static cameras outside schools to improve safety and body-worn cameras.”
Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways and transport said, “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to this important consultation, it really has helped us decide on this first option.
“We don’t want to increase parking charges, however they have not increased since 2011 and the cost of operating car parks and public transport is rising. Along with the increasing demand on our budget, we have increased parking charges to mitigate some service reductions.
“It is vital we strike the right balance between covering the increasing costs and supporting local communities. I believe this decision, while extremely difficult, will provide the best result when viewed across all of the services we deliver.”
