Liberal Democrats secure early review of car-parking charges

After a petition of 3,007 signatures was delivered to Chippenham Area Board by local shopkeepers, local Liberal Democrat Councillors took the issue to Conservative-controlled Wiltshire Council, and secured an early review of the disastrous new car-parking charges.

Desna Allen, Lib Dem Councillor for Chippenham Queens and Sheldon, said "Local businesses around Borough Parade and Emery Gate car parks have really taken a hit from the Council's ill thought-out 110% increase in car parking charges. When local residents and businesses came to me with their concerns, I was pleased to be able to take them to Wiltshire Council, and make them pay attention. It is clear that the parking charges rise is having a direct impact on employment in the town. We are also losing shops, and along with that, the reasons to come to Chippenham."

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Lib Dem Group Leader, commented following the meeting "We have been arguing the case for Wiltshire's market towns for months now but the Conservative administration have refused to listen. Communities across the county have been objecting to the irresponsible behaviour of the Conservative run council and eventually the number of signatures on numerous petitions and the power of the arguments against these new charges must have won out. Our intervention has forced Council Transport spokesman, Cllr Dick Tonge, to review a key Conservative policy just months into its chaotic implementation.

I've seen first hand in Melksham what these charges can do to town centres. This review will force the Conservatives to consider changes to their muddleheaded plans."

"The local Lib Dems are calling for local communities to control the parking charges in their area. After all, why else have town and parish councils if they are not going to manage their communities. This means that local councils can restore short-term free parking, allowing people to pop in and use their town centre without being penalised, whilst long-term charges ensure the council can still raise the money needed to be invested in public transport."