Wiltshire Parking Charges: What You Need to Know

Wiltshire Parking Charges Rise From 1 September

Wiltshire Parking Charges Set to Rise From 1 September Wiltshire drivers, shoppers and local businesses are facing changes to council parking charges from 1 September, with pay-and-display prices set to rise and charging hours changing at some locations. The changes will affect motorists visiting towns and cities across Wiltshire, with the council also increasing the cost of season tickets and parking permits. Parking Charges Increase Across Wiltshire Pay-and-display parking charges will increase by an average of around 20% from September. The council says the increases are necessary because the cost of providing parking services has risen since charges were last changed in 2022. Season tickets and parking permits will also become more expensive, adding to the cost for motorists who regularly use council-owned parking facilities. Short-stay car parks will also have longer weekday charging hours. Charges will generally apply from 07:00 to 19:00, meaning drivers will pay for an additional hour at both ends of the day compared with the previous arrangements. Weekend Parking Charges Introduced Some council-owned car parks will also introduce weekend charges from September. Locations affected include County Hall in Trowbridge and the Bridge Centre in Chippenham, meaning motorists visiting these sites at weekends will need to check the relevant parking conditions before leaving their vehicles. However, not all of the proposed changes have been approved. Long-stay car parks will generally retain their existing charging hours of 08:00 to 18:00, while Sunday charging will continue to begin at 10:00 rather than the proposed 07:00 start. No Sunday On-Street Charges in Salisbury One of the most notable decisions concerns Sunday on-street parking in Salisbury. Sunday on-street parking charges will not be introduced in the city following concerns from religious groups and others who argued that charging could affect church attendance. There will also be exceptions in Malmesbury and Marlborough, where Sunday charging will not be introduced at Cross Hayes and Marlborough High Street. Dunns Lane Charges Increase Drivers using Dunns Lane car park in Castle Combe will see a specific change to both charging hours and the cost of all-day parking. Its charging hours will change to 07:00 to 19:00, while the all-day parking cost will increase from £5.60 to £6.60. For regular visitors, even relatively small increases can add up over repeated trips, particularly when combined with longer charging periods and higher permit or season ticket costs. What the Changes Mean for Drivers For motorists, the main message is that parking will become more expensive in many parts of Wiltshire from 1 September. Drivers will also need to pay closer attention to charging times, particularly when using short-stay car parks and locations where weekend charges are being introduced. The council says the additional income will help cover the rising cost of providing parking services and support wider transport investment, including the rural bus network. However, some local businesses and councillors are concerned that higher parking costs could discourage visitors and potentially reduce town-centre footfall. With the new arrangements coming into force on 1 September, motorists should check parking signs and charges before leaving their vehicles. For anyone who regularly parks in Wiltshire town centres, the changes could make a noticeable difference to both the cost and timing of visits.