CITY councillors are calling for the right to set their own parking charges after they were required sign a covenant not to undercut the county’s fees.

County transport boss Dick Tonge has claimed they can give away free spaces in Lush House to patients at the Harcourt Medical Centre if they want to.

It was his response to a patients’ petition protesting at having to pay £2.20 to see a doctor or collect a prescription.

After it was handed to him, cllr Tonge issued a statement saying: “The traffic orders for Lush House allow for free spaces.

“If Salisbury city council wishes to allow free spaces, the appropriate signs and markings can be provided by Wiltshire Council at cost.”

The city council is seeking clarification of its legal position.

A source said: “The surgery has never had free parking. The trouble has come about purely because of the higher charges.

“It would be better if Wiltshire would allow us to be masters of our own destiny and put the charges back to what they were.”

City council leader Su Thorpe said: “We would very much like control to be able to work out what’s best for Salisbury.”

She added: “I notice Wiltshire isn’t offering free spaces in the central car park for users of the walk-in health centre or the Jobcentre.

“We are preparing a wider response to the whole parking issue.”