ROYAL Wootton Bassett and Cricklade residents are reminded to watch out for the new car parking charges to be introduced by Wiltshire Council later this month.

The new charges will be in place from October 26 following a comprehensive consultation earlier this year.

Charges are set on a car park by car park basis to reflect local circumstances, rather than the countywide system that was in place before, in line with the wishes of residents.

Many parking permit prices are being reduced all over the county, and the council will be looking into trialling new technology in identified areas.

Philip Whitehead, cabinet member for highways, said: “It was good to see so many people comment on the consultation, and it really did help to shape the proposals we agreed in March.

“Although we wanted to make sure that the solution would be cost neutral, we will now actually be putting money in to reduce car parking fees in those car parks that are currently being underused.”

More than 5,000 people responded to the car parking consultation, and those responses saw a number of changes to the council’s original proposals. It also saw a 15 minute grace period agreed by council leaders.

There are many car parks in the county where prices are being held for a further four years – making it eight years in total since any increase.

The council is also continuing to work with local town councils and business and community groups in order to discuss further opportunities for locally funded car park schemes to be introduced.