South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats

Mere fights against car parking charges

A group of Mere residents led by local councillor George Jeans made the trip to County Hall in January to try to persuade councillors not to impose car parking charges in the town's two car parks.

Plans by the Conservatives to 'harmonise' parking charges across the county could lead to general increases and the introduction of charges to car parks which are currently free.

The council is proposing four charging bands for the different sizes of settlement:

Band 1 with the highest fees would just be Salisbury

Band 2 - Chippenham, Trowbridge and Devizes

Band 3 - other market towns

Band 4 - small towns and villages

Vice-chair of Mere Parish Council Mike Hall spoke in opposition to charges for small towns and villages where local economies were always fragile, and suggested that Band 4 could actually represent a zero rate. Barbara Hewitt of Mere and District Chamber of Trade produced the results of a survey which showed unanimous opposition to the proposals from Mere businesses and residents. Cllr Jeans pointed out that the Central Car Park was used by people visiting the doctors' surgery as well as the shops and other facilities in the town.

The members of the Environment Select Committee, who don't make the decision but can only comment on the proposals, asked for a further update in May.

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Update April 15th. A WC spokesman has, according to the Salisbury Journal, hinted that charges will not be imposed in Mere at the moment because it would be "electoral suicide".

Update August 9th. However despite strong local objections, Wiltshire Council Conservatives are still pressing ahead with their plans to introduce parking charges in Mere.

Suggested rates are from 20p for an hour, with all day rates in the £4.50 to £5 range. On Sundays, parking would be 10p for an hour or 50p all day.

The Conservatives that say if communities like Mere want to keep free parking they can make a payment to Wiltshire Council from their parish rates.

The scheme is now out to consultation via the Wiltshire Council website under 'consultations'. Cllr Jeans has also been circulating paper copies of the relevant bits of the consultation document, which residents are encouraged to fill out and return to WC.

Update December 14th. WC 'cabinet' has decided to press ahead with the changes. Negotiations with the parish council continue and will have to be resolved in advance of the next financial year.

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Your comments:

"We do not support car parking charges in Mere, as we feel certain it will lead to more inappropriate car parking in the towns streets."

"How on earth can the council offer the reason for applying charges to Mere car park as being that harmonisation for the county is required? Even accepting that the charge would be less than larger towns how can any comparison on this subject be made between, for example, Trowbridge and Mere? Needs and practicalities are totally different. This would lead to more street parking and consequently more congestion."

"I do not support parking charges in Mere. My reasons are it will increase problems with street parking. Also its affect on local shops."

"Inappropriate and unnecessary. It will spoil the feel of the town. Let's not get ruined like Shaftesbury"

"We have to attend the doctors' surgery often, and are pensioners."

"We have never paid before so why now?"

Mere is struggling to keep shops open and we will lose out. Also more people will park on the roads which is a real problem now."

"I fear it will lead to more congestion of our streets etc."

"Expensive! - some people who work in Mere need to park all day."

I would like to register my opposition to charges for parking in either of the two Mere Car Parks.

"We have become a very greedy nation, where there seems to be a charge for everything we do! I think it is appalling that one has to pay to park! when attending a hospital appointment or visiting a sick relative. Mere is a lovely village with a caring and positive community spirit. We don't need any more double yellow lines, nor parking restrictions around the square either."

"Adverse implications for Mere shops."

"Charges will have a detrimental effect on our shops and businesses and affect residents too."

"Many Mere residents in older properties have to keep cars on the street - charges would encourage more street parking to the disadvantage of residents."

"Adverse effect on commercial life and, therefore, social interaction in Mere."

"Will deter people shopping in Mere and encourage street parking."

"Would strongly object to paying parking fee when visiting doctors. Fees would drive trade out of Mere and Wiltshire!"

"Mere is already choked with on-street parking and shops would suffer too."

"Unnecessary. Damaging to the few shops left. Another tax on the motorist!"

"It would encourage on-street parking which is bad now anyway and discourage shoppers. Difficult for residents in Castle Street as they have limited parking on street."

"More cars blocking roads. Patients' difficulties at Drs surgery."

"Lost already four shops: this will increase if changes made."

"Would destroy a once thriving parish."

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The result of the informal poll on parking charges in Mere is 100% against.