Parking charges to be reintroduced at all Wiltshire Council car parks

WILTSHIRE Council will reintroduce parking charges at all car parks, and on residential and on-street parking areas in the county from Monday 1 June. All parking permits and season tickets will also restart from this date, and parking wardens will enforce any parking contraventions in the county.

On 25 March, the government gave NHS and care workers free use of all council parking and this will continue until further notice, however, Wiltshire Council went one step further and suspended all parking charges, including in residential areas, from the 27 March which was to be reconsidered when the government issued new guidance.

All valid parking permits and season tickets were also frozen at that time, and they will be restarted from Monday 1 June with the other charges – with the nine weeks of the suspension period automatically added on to the end of parking permits and season tickets. For example, if a person has a parking permit or season ticket that expires on 31 August, that permit or season ticket will now automatically be extended to end on 2 October, nine weeks later. People do not need to contact the council for this extension; it will happen automatically. Refunds can be given to people who no longer need extended season tickets – contact parking@wiltshire.gov.uk for more information.

When parking, NHS workers and care workers must place supporting evidence in their windscreen to be eligible for free stays, such as photocopies of work passes with sensitive information removed, or a letter of evidence on headed paper from their employer.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways and transport, said: “As the government looks to return to a new normal, it is important we reintroduce parking charges and enforcement to ensure the highways and parking networks are working effectively.

“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the council’s budget, particularly in terms of lost income, and reinstating car parking charges will help us to continue to support our residents and businesses through these challenging times.

“Parking will continue to be free for NHS and care workers, but we would ask others to pay for parking using the digital permits system where possible and adhere to social distancing at all times.”

People using car parks should note the following guidance to help keep staff and residents safe and ensure social distancing:

• Cash will be accepted (change not given) at all car parks, but please pay using a digital permit or contactless if you can. Not all car parks accept contactless payments, but all accept digital permits.
• Signage will be in place to let people know of the charges and also to remind people to ensure social distancing when using machines or walking in car parks.
• Where possible, people should park leaving one space or more between cars to aid social distancing. This may not always be possible, but it may be achievable in quieter car parks.