Melksham motorists face triple whammy over parking charges

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

Melksham motorists face a triple whammy of pricier parking tickets, longer chargeable hours, and a hike in Sunday tariffs if plans being considered by Wiltshire Council are adopted.

On Thursday 15th January the council’s environment select committee will consider new Parking Plan and Tariff proposals.

The Wiltshire Council Parking Plan 2026 to 2030 proposes an increase in parking charges of 20 per cent plus a nearest 10p charge, an extension to the chargeable parking hours to between 7am and 7pm, and a change to Sunday parking charges to bring them in line with weekend rates.

For residents with parking permits, the cost of the service would rise in line with pay and display charges.

In Melksham parking in Wiltshire Council car parks costs between 40p and 50p an hour, and between £3.50 and £7.70 for all-day parking. All-day Sunday parking costs 70p.

Under the proposed tariffs, an hour’s parking would increase to between 50p and 70p an hour, and between £4.20 and £9.30 for all-day parking. Weekday rates would apply on Sundays.

The officers’ report to councillors considers the risks of increasing or not increasing parking charges.

Listed among the risks of not raising charges is that “the council would need to find additional, potentially more drastic, savings from elsewhere, which can be challenging to achieve and may face public resistance.”

However, the report’s authors accept that “introducing parking charges presents several risks for a council, primarily concerning negative impacts on local businesses and high streets, public backlash, and reputational damage.

“Parking charges are unpopular, leading to public complaints, petitions, and media criticism.

Councils can be accused of treating motorists as “cash cows” to fill budget gaps.”

Among the proposed benefits of increased parking charges, says the report, is issuing its parking enforcement team with a fleet of electric vehicles.