Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Not surprisingly, people have stopped using the WC car parks.

Wiltshire's Conservative administration has been forced to admit that their draconian hike in car park charges has led to a reduction in income for the council, as motorists choose not to use WC car parks.

In the Trowbridge Church Street car park, £6,189 was taken in the first three months of this financial year, compared with £7,520 for the same period last year. The cost here increased from 40p for an hour to £1-10 and has led to users passing-on their part-used tickets to other motorists.

The Bradford Road car park used to be free of charge, but the Conservatives introduced a charge - rather harsh on those that use it to visit the doctors surgery just down the road. Only £1,089 was taken during the April/May/June period and installing the pay & display machines cost in the region of £3,400!

£2,650 was spent on press announcements of the new charges.

Apart from the effect on the local economy, it would seem that the Conservatives have, despite being warned, shot themselves in the foot.