THE cost of parking in Royal Wootton Bassett is to go up for the first time in seven years.

Wiltshire Councillors have voted to increase the price of tickets in line with inflation after considering several different options including the introduction of charging for Sunday and bank holiday parking.

An hour’s parking in the Borough Fields will remain at 40p, while Wood Street will stay at 30p. But the charge for two hours will rise to £1.20 and £1.10 respectively from £1.10 and £1.

The increase will comes into force on February 1 and follows a countywide consultation that drew around 1,400 responses from residents.

Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We don’t want to increase parking charges, however they have not increased since 2011 and the cost of operating car parks and public transport is rising.

“Along with the increasing demand on our budget, we have increased parking charges to mitigate some service reductions.

“It is vital we strike the right balance between covering the increasing costs and supporting local communities. I believe this decision, while extremely difficult, will provide the best result when viewed across all of the services we deliver.”

Wiltshire Council initiated a review into parking last year and sought the views of residents as well as parish councils and other groups with the aim of trying to lessen the impact of current funding challenges on public transport and other services.

The money will also help to fund investment in including automatic number plate recognition for residents’ parking zones, static cameras outside schools to improve safety and body worn cameras.

Among the options the cabinet was asked to consider to generate extra income were charging in all Wiltshire Council car parks, moving the free event parking dates – often used for Christmas late shopping nights – reducing the parking ‘grace’ time from 15 minutes to 10 and basing season ticket prices on standard rates.

The consultation ended on November 23 and responses to those extra options are currently being collated and will be put before the cabinet on January 30. If approved they will go through a further consultation.

According to the authority more than six in ten of the people who responded thought the increase should come from an inflationary rise over other any alternative.

Coun Wayman thanked everyone who had responded to what she described as an important consultation. Their views had helped the council decide on the increase.

Three hours will cost £2.20, four £2.70, five £3.60 and all day £5.80 in Borough Fields. Wood Street will be £1.90 for three hours, £2.50 for four, 3.10 for five and £5 for all day. Bank holidays and Sundays will stay free.