Bradford on Avon Town Council is resisting the plans by Wiltshire Council to raise the cost of parking charges across the county.

At its full council meeting on February 15, Wiltshire Council will vote on the proposed 2022/23 budget.

The idea is to raise parking charges by 10p per hour across all Wiltshire Council-owned car parks and remove the free parking days for town councils to support community events.

This would impact Sunday blue badge holders, who would also be hit by charges.

But the town council says is taking a strong stance against the agenda, and believes the proposed rise works against plans to support market towns through a £1million per year support fund.

Wiltshire Times:

“Bradford on Avon Town Council strongly objects to the raising of parking charges," said town Mayor, Cllr Sarah Gibson.

She believes that if the plans were to go ahead, it would have a significant impact on businesses, and present challenges to local traders.

Cllr Gibson added: “It is as if Wiltshire Council is giving with one hand and taking with the other.

"Increasing parking charges is a misjudged saving which could push people to out-of-town shops rather than the independent traders who need the support."

The councillor’s worry is that there would be no going back if the plans were to proceed.

She noted: “The potential negative impact could hurt towns more than any Covid recovery grant could help.

“The town council believes these plans go against Wiltshire Council’s business plan mission to support vibrant town centres to create thriving local economies.

“Wiltshire’s identity is built on its market towns, and they are struggling post-Covid to maintain their vibrant centres.

“I have written to the leader of Wiltshire Council, Cllr Richard Clewer over Bradford on Avon’s concerns, as I am sure we are not alone,” Cllr Gibson concluded.

Wiltshire Council has said they are having to plug a budget deficit of more than £27 million over the next financial year, which is equivalent to 7% of the authority's budget.

Other plans will also include a 1.99% increase on council tax and 1% on the adult social care levy.