Wardens 'may get EVs if parking charges increased'
BBCA council says it may be able to provide its parking enforcement with a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) if plans to hike parking charges are adopted.
Motorists in Wiltshire will face several parking changes if Wiltshire Council's Environment Select Committee approves the plans on Thursday.
The Wiltshire Council Parking Plan 2026 to 2030 proposes a 20% increase in parking charges, plus a nearest 10p charge, extending parking hours to 07:00-19:00, and moving Sunday parking charges in line with weekend rates.
In a report, officers accepted introducing parking charges presented "several risks for the council", mostly regarding negative impacts on local businesses and high streets.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the cost of parking permits would increase in line with pay and display charges.
On-street parking fees on Sundays would also return to Salisbury.
Wiltshire Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy includes a requirement for additional parking income of £375,000 in 2026/7, and again in 2027/8.
The plan also proposes a biannual review of parking charges, noting that parking fees had not increased since 2022, while inflation had risen by 20% over that time.
Parking in Wiltshire towns and Salisbury would still be cheaper than Swindon under the new tariffs, which charges motorists between 90p and £1.80 to park for an hour and between £4.60 and £48.30 to park all day.
Swindon Borough Council also charges £2.30 for evening parking.
Car parks in Chippenham and Salisbury currently cost between 70p and £1.25 for one hour, and between £6.60 and £9 per day. All-day parking on Sunday costs £1.40 or £1.90, depending on the location.
Under the proposed tariffs, an hour's parking would increase to between 90p and £2 per hour, and £7.10 to £11.70 all day. Weekday rates would apply on Sundays.
'More drastic savings'
The officers' report to councillors considers the risks of increasing or not increasing parking charges.
Among the risks of not raising charges is that Wiltshire Council "would need to find additional, potentially more drastic savings from elsewhere".
The report added increased parking charges would potentially allow the enforcement team to be provided with electric vehicles.
Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
