INCOME from Wiltshire Council’s city centre car parks has fallen since higher charges were introduced in April.

But its income from on-street parking is up, as is the use of park and ride buses, according to a report produced for transport portfolio holder, Dick Tonge.

It shows the council took £642,014 from its Salisbury car parks in the period from April to June. Last year, it took £646,221 in the same period.

According to the report, car park usage fell when the new charges came in, but is now starting to recover.

Meanwhile, parking meter income rose from £48,506 in April to June 2010 to £64,101, while park and ride bus usage was said to be up 13 per cent, “clearly showing a shift from car to bus usage.” Use of the wider bus network also increased.

Cllr Tonge is looking into claims that shopper numbers in Swindon soared when parking charges were cut.

He told the Journal the use of car parks in Bournemouth was down even though the council there offered free parking between November and February.

Southampton and Winchester had also reported fewer people using car parks. The squeeze on living standards nationally meant consumers had £728 less disposable income on average than a year ago, he added. Higher fuel costs were also dissuading people from driving and, hence, affecting use of car parks.

The council report claims there is “no systemic relationship between car park usage and retail performance.”

On Friday, cllr Tonge met representatives of the city council, City Centre Management, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the parking issue.

“They tabled some suggestions, which we are considering,” he said. One was to open the park and ride earlier and close it later, but that would cost £140,000, he claimed.

Legal advice prepared by officers suggests that even if the council decides to cut the charges, the lengthy processes involved mean it could not happen before January.

Cllr Brian Dalton has asked the council leaders to meet in Salisbury when they consider parking.