Wiltshire Parking Charges to Rise 20% From September 4

Wiltshire Drivers Face Higher Parking Charges From September

# Wiltshire Parking Charges to Rise by 20% From September 4 Parking charges across Wiltshire are set to increase from **4 September**, with pay-and-display tariffs rising by an average of 20 per cent. Wiltshire Council says the changes are needed to reflect increasing costs, with parking charges having remained unchanged since 2022. The council said the revised tariffs follow a public consultation that received **1,762 responses**, with changes made to some of the original proposals. ## What is changing for motorists? From 4 September, pay-and-display charges will increase by an average of 20 per cent, with individual increases rounded to the nearest 10p. Season ticket and parking permit charges will also increase under the revised parking arrangements. Weekday charging hours at short-stay car parks will be extended by an hour in both the morning and evening, covering **7am to 7pm**. Weekend charges will also be introduced at selected council-owned car parks, including County Hall in Trowbridge and the Bridge Centre in Chippenham. Long-stay car parks will generally keep their existing **8am to 6pm** charging hours, although Dunns Lane car park in Castle Combe will operate from 7am to 7pm. At Dunns Lane, the all-day parking charge will increase from **£5.60 to £6.60**. Sunday charging will not start at the earlier 7am time previously proposed by the council. Instead, Sunday charging will continue to begin at **10am**. Sunday on-street parking charges will also not be introduced in Salisbury, following concerns raised during the consultation. The decision means Sunday charging will also not be introduced at Cross Hayes in Malmesbury or Marlborough High Street car parks, which are described as on-street car parks. ## Concerns over the impact on town centres Some local representatives have raised concerns that higher parking charges could affect businesses and residents who rely on convenient town-centre parking. Councillor Nick Holder said the increase could add pressure to local businesses and residents, while concerns have also been raised about the potential effect on high street footfall. Photographer Philippa Huber previously warned that increasing parking charges could make it harder to encourage people to visit retailers in Devizes. Parish councillor Chris Greenwood also expressed concern that the changes could encourage people to travel further away from towns such as Devizes. ## Council defends revised parking plans Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for highways, Martin Smith, said the authority had listened to feedback received during its consultation and had changed parts of the original proposals. The council says the revised approach is intended to balance support for town and city centres with effective parking management and continued investment in transport and highways services across Wiltshire. For motorists, the main changes will begin on **4 September**, when higher parking charges and revised charging periods come into effect across affected council-owned car parks. Drivers using Wiltshire car parks should therefore check the applicable tariff and charging hours before parking, particularly when visiting short-stay locations or car parks where weekend charges are being introduced.