TRADERS in Warminster have reacted angrily to the new parking charges that were slapped on the town last month.

From April 1 motorists visiting Warminster have had to pay 25p an hour to park and £1.80 to stay all day.

Now councillors and traders have had enough and say the charges are bad for business.

Bo-Ingvar Jansson, the manager of Coates and Parker, in the Market Place, said: "We do better business now between 3pm and 5pm on a Saturday when the car park is free.

"We have lost money since the charges were brought in and we are not talking peanuts.

"People think that if they are going to pay for parking, they may as well go to Salisbury or Bath."

Traders are not just concerned about the trade they are losing, but also about the lack of traffic wardens.

The owner of Cristettes, Chris Lewis, said: "I have never seen any traffic wardens in the town to check drivers' parking tickets.

"We have suffered because people keep using our car park and this is having an effect on our customers who need to use it."

Town councillors are also fed up with the charges and have urged West Wiltshire District Council to launch a study into the effects the charges are having on the town.

Mayor Chris March said: "It is small businesses that will suffer the most."

Cllr Michael Mounde said: "I am proposing that a study is done for around one year so we can see exactly what effect these charges are having."

The councillors are hoping the district council will sponsor a formal study into the parking charges in Warminster and Westbury, which would consider the economic, social, and environmental effects of the current scheme.

It is thought that charging for parking would be compared with the previous scheme of a levy being raised through council tax.

Shop owner Mr Lewis said: "To see what effect the charges are having, a study would have to go on for a prolonged time. At least a year, I think."

The proposed study is expected to be discussed at a district council cabinet meeting in June.