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David Cameron says Warminster should have free parking
(July 09, 2015)PRIME minister David Cameron has called for free parking to be brought back in Warminster - and in other Wiltshire market towns.
During the prime minister's questions debate before the budget announcement Mr Cameron was asked a question by the newly elected MP for Chippenham, Michelle Donelan.
Grinning to herself, she said: "What support can the Prime Minister offer market towns such as Corsham, Chippenham, Melksham and Bradford-on-Avon?"
The PM gave four things, finishing off with this comment. He said: "I would also argue, in the case of market towns, that we should make parking easier—and, preferably, free."
Warminster councillor Steve Dancey, who has long argued the case for free parking said: "I was pleased to hear this but perhaps the new MP should tell Jane Scott and her cronies at County Hall as they simply don't seem to understand how small market towns work.
"To call them muppets is an insult to muppetry. Even the muppets would have thought twice about installing an expensive to run ticket machine at the four space car park where Fairfield Road meets Imber Road - but the experts at County Hall did. I assume our councillors at the time did nothing to prevent it."
"We also need to see the return of dash and go parking in Warminster Market Place."
Any Lib Dem councillors can also hold their heads in shame as it was their party that introduced the first parking meters to Warminster when they ran the district council in the 1990s.
The Hansard entry is copied below.
Q13. [900828] Michelle Donelan (Chippenham) (Con): As the Prime Minister knows, my constituency covers four market towns, but our high streets have declined under years of Labour’s neglect. [Interruption.]
Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Lady must be heard and she will be.
Michelle Donelan: What support can the Prime Minister offer market towns such as Corsham, Chippenham, Melksham and Bradford-on-Avon?
The Prime Minister: First, let me welcome my hon. Friend to her place. I do know her constituency well and I spent a lot of time there with her before the election. What I would say to her is that the offer of devolution is not limited to cities; we are just as open to proposals from towns, counties and districts. To help our high streets we need a strong economy; to press ahead with these local plans; and to have deregulation of the class orders that sometimes prevent development from taking place. I would also argue, in the case of market towns, that we should make parking easier—and, preferably, free.