THE people of Salisbury and district have left Wiltshire Council in no doubt about the ruinous effects of parking charges.

With one city centre boutique closing as a direct result of the charges, and other shopkeepers warning they cannot survive much longer, furious traders confronted transport portfolio holder, Dick Tonge, on Tuesday demanding immediate action.

Journal publisher and editor, Bill Browne, presented him with 7,000 readers’ signatures backing our Show Some Sense campaign, calling for a return to £1 one-hour parking and a cut in the £7.40 all-day charge.

Days earlier, it had seemed the message was getting through.

Council leader, Jane Scott, admitted “we let the city down”

and said she was “sincerely sorry.” She even praised the Journal’s campaign, telling a Guildhall audience the paper had “done a good job on your behalf.”

Yet, after Tuesday’s meeting, it seemed the best Salisbury could hope for was a lengthy rethink.

Cllr Tonge offered to set up a meeting with City Centre Management and other business representatives next Friday.

Whatever proposals emerge from that, he said, will be subject to a financial assessment by council officers.

That will be followed by a public consultation, and a report to a Cabinet meeting.

And if the council then decides to act, it will be legally bound to issue a traffic regulation order involving another consultation.

He told the Journal his legal department is trying to find ways to speed up the process but he cannot commit to anything.