Small steps for parking problems in Chippenham

Council leaders have agreed to make small sacrifices to ease the parking problems plaguing Chippenham town centre.

On Wednesday, members of the council's cabinet agreed to proposals which will mean Christmas shoppers pay less, charities will be offered service permits for key workers and Blue Badge holders will get a better deal.

Cabinet member with responsibility for parking, Dick Tonge announced the following recommendations:

An extra free hour for motorists when they pay for their car parking in car parks across the county from December 19 to December 24 (inclusive). A token is needed to receive one hour's free parking will be given in the council's next edition of Your Wiltshire magazine due out in November.

Service permits will be extended to include registered charities that need to load and unload vehicles and peripatetic workers who deal with vulnerable people.

Consistent arrangements will be made for Blue Badge holders, which will mean a better deal for many.

The recommendations came after the council heard evidence from a report regarding the impact of parking charge changes. Businesses in Chippenham rallied recently to sign a petition against the fee increases, which they say has driven trade away.

Dick Tonge said: "All residents in Wiltshire will receive this one free hour car parking voucher when their Your Wiltshire magazine drops through their door in November which will no doubt be a welcome boost for shoppers and traders in the run up to Christmas.

"The service permits will make life easier for particular staff looking after vulnerable people working in charity shops and for those vehicles loading and unloading goods outside their premises. The changes to blue badge holders will also make them easier to use."

Is it enough, or does the council need to do better to ease the problem? Christmas parking is good but what about the rest of the year.