Salisbury Parking U-turn: Wiltshire’s Conservatives are forced to listen

With Monday's decision to restore one-hour parking in Salisbury, at a new price of £1.50, Wiltshire's Conservatives are beginning to back away from their disastrous parking charges.

Salisbury Councillor Paul Sample (Lib Dem) said: "I am pleased that the Council has accepted that it has made a mistake. The message from the local community has been heard loud and clear. Although this move falls short of the ideal, it is still a big move in the right direction. I just hope it can be introduced as swiftly as possible. But this sort of mess cannot be allowed to happen again. Wiltshire's consultation process was at the root of this and they need to improve the effectiveness of consultation in future. That should begin now.

"I would like local people, including the City Council and the Salisbury Area Board to be put back in the driving seat over parking charges. Maybe this is the time to consider the control of car parks to be put into the hands of the City Council, but I suspect that will not be popular at County Hall. In the meantime, Wiltshire Council should use the meeting in October as an early opportunity to begin a meaningful discussion about next year's parking fees.

"The Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Business, the City Council, Salisbury Area Board, City Centre Management an many other interested parties should be closely involved - not just adverts in the local paper and an invitation for written submissions. That consultation must include the proposed parking fee tariffs as well as improvements which might be made - like pay on exit and other ideas. Today is an ideal time to start!"

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Lib Dem Council Group Leader said: "Now that the Council have been forced to see the light in Salisbury, when are they going to look at the rest of the county? Up and down Wiltshire, traders are struggling, and our high streets are falling empty. Wiltshire Council's Conservatives urgently need to react to the suffering their stubbornness is causing for traders and residents."