MELKSHAM has had a boost after it was revealed that there will be no price increase on parking charges.
Wiltshire Council has decided to freeze the parking charges across Melksham meaning prices will not go up until April 2015 at the earliest.
It is hoped this will help encourage visitors and shoppers to the town. Season ticket permits will also be frozen for another financial year.
The news follows heavy criticism by senior government ministers recently that claimed councils are ruining town centres because of the high parking charges. Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities, accused local councils of ruining small towns and undermining economic growth with high parking charges and over-zealous traffic wardens.
His comments followed news that local authorities had made a record £635million from parking charges. The figures released also shown that £7.6million was made from parking charges in Wiltshire which represented a £4.9million profit. It placed Wiltshire as the 11th most profitable local authority from parking (excluding the London Boroughs) and ahead of large city councils including Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and Sheffield.
Eric Pickles said, “Parking charges should be appropriate and not undermine the vitality of town centres and local shops, and parking enforcement should be proportionate.
“Anti-car measures are driving motorists into the arms of internet retailers and out of town superstores, taking their custom with them.
In response to the claims by the Secretary of State, John Thompson, Wiltshire Council cabinet member responsible for car parking said, “Boosting Wiltshire’s economy is one of the council’s key priorities and so far, despite the national economic situation, it is faring relatively well. It is always regrettable when a local business closes, however Melksham has attracted retail investment in recent years and compares very favourably with neighbouring towns.”
