Politics & Council · Salisbury
Salisbury Council votes to keep Lush House as city's cheapest car park
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Salisbury City Council has rejected plans to increase parking charges at the Crane Bridge Road site, ensuring it remains the most affordable option for drivers in the city.
Motorists in Salisbury can continue to benefit from lower parking costs at the Lush House car park after city councillors unanimously voted against a proposed price increase. The site, located on Crane Bridge Road, remains the only car park under the direct price control of Salisbury City Council.
During a full council meeting held on Monday, September 14, members debated a proposal that would have seen charges rise by approximately 20 per cent. The recommendation had suggested aligning tariffs with those set by Wiltshire Council in other nearby facilities to ensure consistency across the city centre.
Had the proposal been accepted, the cost for up to one hour of parking would have risen from £2 to £2.40. Two-hour stays would have increased from £3.60 to £4.30, while the charge for three hours would have climbed from £5.90 to £7.00. However, councillors argued that a price hike was unnecessary at this time.
Councillor Chris Taylor noted that the council had already agreed to freeze current charges, questioning the necessity of the new proposal. Councillor Sam Charleston echoed this sentiment, stating that the council did not require the additional income from the proposed increase and confirming that any future changes would be addressed through the standard budget-setting process.
Following the rejection of the recommendation, council officers have been tasked with formally reducing charges back to their previous levels. This decision ensures that Lush House maintains its position as the cheapest council-owned parking facility in Salisbury.
The car park, which generated £206,000 for the council during the 2025-26 financial year, is expected to continue attracting high usage levels due to its competitive pricing. While the council acknowledged that matching Wiltshire Council's tariffs could have potentially increased annual revenue to approximately £247,200, members prioritised maintaining the current lower tariff for local motorists. The issue is set to be reviewed again during the upcoming budget-setting cycle.
Source: Salisbury Journal — Salisbury · View original