THERE are signs that light may be dawning at last on the council bosses who have imposed a ‘parking tax’ on Salisbury.

Wiltshire Cabinet member John Brady has accepted that the public consultation exercise over the new charges was insufficient.

And he has promised to do what he can to put the situation right – starting by taking transport portfolio holder Dick Tonge to a meeting with members of City Centre Management in two weeks’ time.

Cllr Brady’s decision to “stick my head above the parapet” came as official figures revealed another big fall in the number of people visiting city centre shopping areas last month – down by more than 12,000 on May last year, to 390,507.

City Centre Management’s ‘footfall’ statistics were showing a downward trend even before the new charges were introduced. But they were expected to rise between April and May, and instead, they slumped by 10,500.

The organisation said times were tough throughout the country but the charges were making things worse when “Wiltshire should be doing everything in its power to help businesses ride the storm”.

As recently as Thursday, cllr Brady, who represents the Cathedral and St Martin’s ward with a majority of just eight, had been in defiant mood, saying in an email to Spire FM, which is supporting the Journal’s campaign: “I really do not see what all the fuss is about. I have not received one complaint from anyone in my ward.”

But by Monday he had changed his tune, telling the Journal: “Quite clearly the car parking issue in Salisbury goes beyond the boundaries of just the ward I represent.

“Local residents who live in the city have less concern over car parking charges than those who live in outlying villages who have to pay the charges.

“It is therefore apparent that the consultation did not cover the primary users of the car parks, although we did write to every parish council and asked for their comments.

“I have listened to the comments and will do what I can to help.”