Lib Dems launch Drop the Charges campaign

Wiltshire Liberal Democrats have launched a County wide petition to force a full Council debate and vote on controversial new car parking charges.

The new charges for Sunday and Bank Holiday parking in Wiltshire Council car parks will be introduced from 19th November in the run up to Christmas.

The Lib Dems hope to get 5,000 signatures on a petition calling for the charges to be dropped. If successful, that will force a full debate and vote on the charges at the next meeting of Wiltshire Council in the New Year.

The petition was the idea of Malmesbury Lib Dem Councillor, Gavin Grant.

Cllr Grant said "Most people had no idea these car parking charges were in the pipeline. They are horrified that the Council is bringing them in despite huge opposition.‎

These charges are wrong. They will hit town centre residents and families. They go against all the work to keep our High Streets alive and sustaining local jobs."

Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition on Wiltshire Council, Cllr Ian ‎Thorn added "There has been no debate on these new parking charges, let alone a vote by Councillors. We want to change that. By residents signing our petition, we can force that vote.

I believe Councillors right across the chamber are angry. I hope we will come together to vote down these charges. ‎But we can only get that opportunity by getting 5,000 people to sign up."

The petition is already gaining support. Wiltshire residents who want to sign it can do so by going to SignMe.org.uk/1485. Paper copies are also available to download.

ENDS