Wiltshire parking charges set to change from 4 September

Wiltshire Council is set to introduce revised parking charges and arrangements across the county from 4 September 2026, following a public consultation and checks of its parking systems ahead of the changes.

The consultation received 1,762 responses from residents, businesses, town and parish councils and other local stakeholders. Following the feedback, the council amended or withdrew several of its original proposals before confirming the revised arrangements.

The biggest change for many drivers will be an increase in pay and display parking charges. Prices will rise by an average of 20%, rounded to the nearest 10p. The council says parking charges have not increased since 2022, while inflation has risen by around 28% during the same period.

The council says the increase is needed to help cover the rising costs of providing parking services and to support investment in transport and highways across Wiltshire.

Parking hours will also change in some locations. Short-stay car parks will operate charging hours from 7am to 7pm, while long-stay car parks will generally retain their existing charging period of 8am to 6pm.

Sunday parking arrangements have also been revised following feedback from the public. Sunday charging will continue to start at 10am, rather than the earlier proposal to introduce charges from 7am.

In Salisbury, there will be no Sunday on-street parking charges. The Maltings car park will also keep its existing charging hours because of its particular role in supporting hospitality and leisure businesses in the city centre.

Long-stay car parks will generally retain their existing charging hours, with an exception for Dunns Lane car park in Castle Combe.

The council will also introduce weekend charges for public use at selected council-owned car parks, including County Hall in Trowbridge and the Bridge Centre in Chippenham.

Sunday charging will not be introduced at Cross Hayes in Malmesbury or Marlborough High Street, where the parking areas are on-street locations.

Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said the increase was necessary because of the rising cost of providing services.

He said the council needed to balance the cost of parking with supporting town and city centres, while continuing to invest in transport infrastructure, including Wiltshire's rural bus network.

The council says season tickets and parking permits will also increase in line with the revised tariffs. However, it says these will continue to offer a significant discount compared with paying the normal daily parking charge.

The changes form part of Wiltshire Council's wider transport plans and its commitment under the Our Wiltshire Plan to improve public transport options across the county.

The council has said that the consultation feedback played an important role in shaping the final arrangements, with several proposed changes being amended or removed following concerns raised by residents and local councils.

Drivers using car parks across Salisbury and Wiltshire are therefore being encouraged to check the latest charges and parking conditions before their next visit, particularly if they regularly use short-stay car parks or park on Sundays.

The revised arrangements are due to come into effect on 4 September 2026.