POLITICIANS are hoping a “disastrous” increase in car parking charges in Salisbury can be reversed – and they are urging people to make their feelings plain in a new review.

Salisbury is currently the most expensive town or city to park in the county. Wiltshire Council has said it will look at ways to bring down some charges, but any changes will have to be cost-neutral, meaning if Salisbury’s charges are reduced other towns would see theirs rise.

Cllr John Walsh said: “Wiltshire Council made a bad mistake four years ago when it set the charges in Salisbury too high. The resulting footfall loss has been disastrous for our independent shops. It must be reduced this time.”

The consultation will launch on Monday which could see a move away from the current charging for parking based on four bands, to options based on individual car parks or town assessments.

These options will use factors such as usage of car parks, location, as well as looking at the wider economic and environmental issues. This approach gives the Council greater ability to manage car parking demand and supply. 

Cabinet member John Thomson said: “Doing nothing is not an option. Each town in Wiltshire will have personalised data published for it and we expect people to make an informed decision when they fill out the questionnaire.”

The review will also consider a number of charging options, including first hour free parking, free after 4pm, Sunday charges, or evening charges as tools to enhance local communities’ ability to use their local services. 

City councillor and parliamentary candidate Tom Corbin said: “It is clear that the overcharging of car parking does not work. Car park usage has not bounced back as Wiltshire Council would have you to believe.

“Businesses in Salisbury were the first to feel the effects of using car park fees as a cash cow. I am angry that Wiltshire Council has been slow to act, given that they have been quick to introduce the free-from-3pm trial at Culver Street Car Park.”

The background information will be available online on the council’s website from Monday and the consultation questionnaire can be accessed from November 10.