Free parking in Salisbury and Amesbury extended until Easter

The arrangement, due to last until the end of the year, will now be in place until Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

It means all Wiltshire Council-run car parks in Salisbury city centre and Amesbury town centre will remain free after 3pm on Monday to Saturday.

Sunday parking in council car parks is also free, until further notice.

The five Park and Ride sites that serve Salisbury will also be free until April.

Pauline Church, cabinet member for South Wiltshire recovery, said: “We want to continue to do everything we can to support businesses in Salisbury and Amesbury, and encourage shoppers and visitors into the area.

“The new year is an incredibly important time for our traders and businesses given the challenges they faced this year, and we are committed to continuing to do all we can to support them.

“Wiltshire Council has invested more than £1.1m in free parking and park and ride in South Wiltshire to date, which represents a significant investment in the local economy.”

Robin McGowan, Salisbury BID chief executive welcomed the news, and said: “The first quarter of the year is always the most challenging time for retailers and restaurants, and the free car parking will help support our businesses through this tough period. The BID looks forward to continuing to work closely with Wiltshire Council to develop business-friendly parking initiatives.”

Clear signage is displayed in all the council-run car parks informing users of the changes, and there are also signs on main roads into Salisbury that inform people of the free parking times and encourage people to make use of the free park and ride sites.

More than £1.5million has been invested in free parking in South Wiltshire since March 2018; of which more than £1.1million has been invested by Wiltshire Council, while around £570,000 has been met by central government in support of the recovery of both Salisbury and Amesbury.