Topic: Motorists shun car parks in Wiltshire

[Shizzy]

CONTROVERSIAL increases in car parking charges by Wiltshire Council are set to result in a loss of income of half a million pounds. http://goo.gl/T2Lju

No surprise there. I haven't used a council run car park since the charges were introduced. The losers are local shops and it would appear now the tax payers of Wiltshire. Great decision WCC.

[Sector9]

I agree. I was in town the other day - fancied some breakfast but couldn't find a free parking space in the High St, and there's not a chance I'm going to pay to spend 20mins in Westbury! Seems like common sense to me that people won't want to spend money to park just for the priviledge of using Westbury's very limited High St shops.

[Al]

I've parked a couple of time in the new pay car parks. Never bothered paying. I'd rather spend the extra few pence on petrol driving somewhere where I can park for free than pay for 5 mins parking in town.

[Rosebud]

I refuse to pay in Westbury, there's only so many times you can look in the charity shops, i'm not selling or buying a house dont need a take away. so no point giving money away for nothing... Warminster is another story they have plenty of shops and i dont mind paying to park.

[wanderlust]

Then of course there's Trowbridge where you can park in the Shires for 3 hours for 80p

[Bob DeBilda]

If you're out for a days shopping in your car, you might as well go to Cribbs Causeway. Free parking there and all the shops under the sun. That'll earn you brownie points from the missus for a long time! You can let her wander around for as long as she wants while you sit and drink coffee or whatever and do nuffin.

[Mike Hawkins]

These car park charges increases have proved to be an "own goal"!

It is, however, not surprising when the council, like many businesses are run by accountants who cannot see anything beyond the £ signs!  They see more profit, but cannot see the other implications!
When the inevitable losses follow, it is not their fault, but external influences!!

Get rid of the "financial wizards" and this country could be great again!

(Sorry to any accountants logged in. Just keep "mum" about your work and pretend to be respectable, like "Estate Agent, Second Hand car dealer, Brothel keeper"!!)     

[Derek Forbes]

If you're out for a days shopping in your car, you might as well go to Cribbs Causeway. Free parking there and all the shops under the sun. That'll earn you brownie points from the missus for a long time! You can let her wander around for as long as she wants while you sit and drink coffee or whatever and do nuffin.

Yea like my wife let me stay in the car lucky git bob 

[Mike Hawkins]

If you're out for a days shopping in your car, you might as well go to Cribbs Causeway. Free parking there and all the shops under the sun. That'll earn you brownie points from the missus for a long time! You can let her wander around for as long as she wants while you sit and drink coffee or whatever and do nuffin.

I presume you have to hand over the debit/credit card first Bob!

[Debs]

car parks seem quite emmpty these days... they are gonna kill the smaller high streets ( like our own)  the shop owners are struggling as it is to make a living in most of them, this is just making it harder...

i was in the car park on bratton road this morning early   7.30 am   near enough empty... used to be a full busy car park a few years back at any time...

[Bob DeBilda]

Which just goes to prove that a small town like Westbury should have free parking. If people see that they have to pay for parking to visit the few measly shops in Westbury, they will drive on to Trowbridge or Warminster where they can get better value for their money regarding shops.

Westbury is dying and the PO moving out the centre didn't help.

[Silverthreads]

Westbury has been dying for a long time BDB!! I have said before, there is no heart to the Town. Also, the choice of shops isn't exactly exciting and who wants to go into a cake shop and smell the cigarette smoke that wafts in from the smokers sat outside. I think that one of the lads that parks his sports car (and works in one of the Estate Agents) must think he is above the law and can stay there as long as he wants, it's about time he got a ticket!!! I see that someone had a ticket on their car in Westbury Leigh earlier this week.

[Debs]

Westbury has been dying for a long time BDB!! I have said before, there is no heart to the Town. Also, the choice of shops isn't exactly exciting and who wants to go into a cake shop and smell the cigarette smoke that wafts in from the smokers sat outside. I think that one of the lads that parks his sports car (and works in one of the Estate Agents) must think he is above the law and can stay there as long as he wants, it's about time he got a ticket!!! I see that someone had a ticket on their car in Westbury Leigh earlier this week.

ive spoken to "lad with sports car) from town and country...when i used to have my nan in the car with me with a disabled badge in the car and still couldnt park... just got back a couldnt care less attitude from him.  he parks there every day all day with no thought or regard for others who cant walk form the car park to the  hgh street very well...  town and country and the old halifax estate agents all used to park out there...flee when they had a call from to say the traffic warden was coming down the road..... and when he had gone they were all come back...  ridiculous... i used to sit there and watch it all ( i like people watching) but alas havent got time for that any more..
i agree with you on the smoke from the people sat at the cake shop... i hold my breath as i go in to be honest....  they shouldnt be allowed right by the doorways... its not fair for those with lung problems

[Shizzy]

I never see the council traffic warden in town. Can any of the councillors explain why? Surely they are self financing, assuming the council get the fine money.

[Debs]

they prefer to go to westbury leigh and places like that on sundays and get the residents parking outside their homes rather than inconciderate people parking incorrectly in town an high street....  the market place is full of always the same sames  day in day out... those who live or work there im guessing. i struggled to find a space on sunday when going with clients to a party in the  lopes  ( before anyone says i could have walked there, i was in work mode and needed the car ) as did others who were going there also.
never understood how regulars in the pubs feel the need to take their cars... and there is always a deightons van there sometimes 2.. how come they can sit in the pub for hours  when its only a small  amoount of time you are allowed to park there..   without being monitored noone is going to take any notice of the time limit and will abuse like they already are doing... i did say that would happen when the changes were complete.  no wonder the delicatessen has closed its doors..parking is horrendous there especially with the inconsiderate parking of neighbours and locals and the pub goers.. ( thought drink driving was illegal to be honest)