TRADERS in Wootton Bassett are demanding a review on parking in the town to restrict the amount of time vehicles can spend in the High Street.

North Wiltshire District Council is now holding a consultation on the parking issue.

One solution would be introducnig a scheme to control all lengths of the road within High Street by a traffic regulation order, which could restrict parking times to as little as two hours.

Although that move would be a step in the right direction, Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce President Jonathon Loader says the district council's consultation document is flawed.

He said: "What we need is a review of the whole parking package for Wootton Bassett.

"We have between 12 and 20 cars belonging to staff in the shops along the High Street for a whole day.

"Everyone who works here needs to park and paying the pay and display charges is practically paying to park at work.

"We need acceptable provision made for everyone, traders, residents and shoppers."

In a letter to recipients of the Time Limited Parking Consultation district council senior parking officer Chris Major said: "The council needs to ensure that any scheme assists all sections of the community in the way that it is intended and that it is managed properly and consistently to avoid being abused.

"Vehicles parked in one location on the High Street for long periods of time restricts the number of spaces available for shoppers and other visitors of Wootton Bassett, affecting the economic viability of the already under pressure town centre."

Questionnaires have now been released in the town in order for the council to judge the level of support for the proposed restrictions.

But Mr Loader says the response by members of the public will not be accurate because the council has not asked questions in enough detail.

He said: "They're simply asking people whether they do or do not want a restriction on parking in the High Street but haven't said when. It's like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas - no resident is going to opt for restrictions because they'll assume they are 24/7. The council should be more clear."

A spokesman for North Wiltshire District Council said: "The executive were requested to undertake a review of the parking arrangements on Wootton Bassett High Street.

"As North Wiltshire District Council is already working in partnership with Wiltshire County Council on a full review of all parking restrictions in Chippenham, resources were not available to be able to address all of the perceived problems of Wootton Bassett.

"Therefore it was requested that the High Street, Wootton Bassett was prioritised to try and implement any changes agreed upon in advance of the work on a full review that would be undertaken after the completion of the work in Chippenham."

The spokesman added that the council would take into account residents' views from the ongoing consultation.