SALISBURY’S independent traders have spoken out against plans to increase parking charges in the city by 12 per cent.

Wiltshire Council says it needs money to pay for under-used rural bus services, as well as improving the state of its car parks.

The authority has said it may have to cut subsidised routes if the cash cannot be found.

Twenty-seven of the 28 traders who responded to a Journal survey said further rises would damage their business.

And more than a quarter said they would rather the council cut rural buses than increase parking charges.

Salisbury already has the most expensive parking in Wiltshire.

Commenting on the proposals, some traders suggested increasing council tax to pay for rural buses.

John Boddy of furniture shop Mylor & Mawes said: “We are constantly being told by customers that the parking charges in Salisbury are exorbitant and they only come to the city if absolutely essential.

“Lower the parking charges and get people back into the city centre. Everyone will benefit.”

Wiltshire Council was accused of treating the public and ratepayers like “cash cows”.

And business owners warned further increases would push shoppers to towns with cheaper parking, and would end with more empty shops in the city centre.

Natalie Ashton from OSO Boutique said: “The parking charges are already the single biggest complaint that visitors have about Salisbury and is the reason the city loses trade to the likes of Southampton.

She added: “Salisbury’s parking charges are already extortionate and an increase like this will almost certainly kill the city centre entirely.”

Jason Regent of Regent Tailoring said it was “another nail in the coffin” for the city.

Steve Godwin of Salisbury Business Improvement District said the BID was “very unhappy with the prospect of further increases”.

He said the city’s business community was planning to “formulate a proper response” to Wiltshire Council’s consultation on the plans, which runs until November 23.

Seven options being considered by the council also include a sharp rise in the cost of residents’ parking permits.

Have your say at consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal