Wiltshire Parking Charges Delayed as New Prices Start on September 4

Wiltshire Drivers Face Higher Parking Charges From September 4

Wiltshire Parking Charges Delayed Until September 4 as New Tariffs Set to Rise Wiltshire Council has delayed the introduction of new parking charges across the county, with revised tariffs now due to come into effect on Friday, 4 September 2026. The changes were originally scheduled for 1 September, but the council said it needed extra time to complete final checks on its systems before the new arrangements begin. What drivers need to know The revised parking charges will affect pay-and-display parking across Wiltshire, including Salisbury. Prices have remained unchanged since 2022, but the new tariffs will increase by an average of 20%, with charges rounded to the nearest 10p. Season tickets and parking permits will also become more expensive under the revised arrangements. Wiltshire Council said the increases reflect rising costs, with inflation having increased by around 28% since the previous parking price rise. The council said the additional time before implementation would help ensure the changes are introduced smoothly for residents, businesses and visitors. The revised plans follow a public consultation that received 1,762 responses. Several proposals were amended or withdrawn following feedback from residents, businesses, town and parish councils. Changes to parking in Salisbury Drivers using Salisbury's short-stay car parks will see a change to the hours during which parking charges apply. From 4 September, charges will apply from 7am to 7pm. Long-stay car parks in Salisbury will retain their existing charging period of 8am to 6pm, providing a different charging window from short-stay facilities. There is also an exception for The Maltings car park, which will keep its current charging hours. The council said this reflects the car park's role in supporting hospitality and leisure businesses in the city centre. Sunday parking arrangements have also been changed from the original proposal. Wiltshire Council confirmed that Sunday on-street parking charges will not be introduced in Salisbury. Sunday on-street charges will continue to begin at 10am, rather than being brought forward to 7am as originally proposed. Sunday tariffs in short-stay car parks will instead be aligned with weekday rates, while long-stay car parks will retain their existing day-rate structure. For drivers who regularly use Wiltshire's car parks, the combination of higher tariffs and revised charging periods means checking the latest parking information will be particularly important before a journey. Wiltshire Council said the changes are intended to balance parking management with support for town and city centres, while helping fund transport and highways services across the county. Cllr Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council, said the authority had listened to feedback received during the consultation and made several changes to its original proposals. The council also said additional parking revenue would help meet the increasing costs of providing the service and support wider transport infrastructure, including the county's rural bus network. With the new arrangements now scheduled for 4 September, drivers in Wiltshire have a few extra days before the revised parking charges and arrangements take effect.