COMPETITION for town centre parking space in Chippenham has intensified in the wake of the closure of Timber Street car-park.

North Wiltshire District Council, which owned the car-park, scrapped it to make room for a new-look, safer bus station.

But local traders say they are already feeling the impact of the closure.

"We have noticed the difference already," said Courtyard hairdressing salon proprietor Georgina Withers.

"Customers are coming in late and distressed. We've had lots of people late for appointments."

The car-park closed for good on March 9, with the loss of more than 40 car parking spaces.

A safety assessment of the bus station carried out by Wiltshire County Council last year had identified a risk of injury to pedestrians because of the combination of cars, buses and people using the same areas.

Work began on Monday last week to recreate the station. The new arrangement will take three weeks to complete, with ten dedicated bus bays, a long shelter and a raised platform area to make it easier to get on and off of buses.

The whole bus station area will eventually be covered by closed circuit television.

But some local traders feel their businesses could suffer as a result of the bus station revamp.

Ms Withers, whose salon is based in Upper Market Place, said the lack of long-term parking could have a serious impact on customers.

"Parking is a nightmare," she said. "I will be writing to the council. We need more."

Pam Burfoot, of Pembroke Photography in Upper Market Place, said the town was quiet because of the time of year and weather, but she feared the parking shortage would have a serious impact. Ms Burfoot, who is disabled, said the loss of the disabled parking spaces in the Timber Street car park would make life difficult for her.

"I have a disabled badge but that does not help me park all day," she said.

"I am a bit stuck. Other people will be suffering the same as me, and it'll mean moving the car every few hours."

She said that councils should not be removing town centre parking space when there was no public transport alternative.

Jacqueline Howson, of Beauty for Everyone in the Causeway, said many of her customers used to park in the Timber Street car park. "I do feel sorry for people trying to find somewhere else," she said.

The district council recommends that people use other town centre car parks such as Emery Gate and Bath Road. It also suggests that drivers avoid parking in the late morning when the car-parks are at their busiest.

In the long-term, the district council is looking to provide parking space on the Causeway and Market Place, and a further 44 spaces will be available in Spanbourne Avenue now that the district council has relocated from temporary buildings to Monkton Park.

The work at the bus station will cost around £35,000, to be provided by Wiltshire County Council.

Ian Lloyd, president of the Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, said: "The loss of car parking at Timber Street is an obvious concern to our members. Every effort should be made to find alternative sources of parking."

The district council says it is tackling the problem by setting up a new working party to look at car parking provision across the district.

On Monday and Wednesday, the working party will hold an open forum for town and parish councils at the council's district offices in Monkton Park, in which people will be able to share their concerns and ideas about car parking in villages as well as towns.

Coun Ruth Coleman said: "This will be a short intensive look at car parking, and we hope to come up with some proposals and report back to the council in early summer. If anyone wants to write in with their suggestions we would be glad to hear from them."

The forums are from 7pm-9pm. Members of the public can attend on the night or write to: Coun Ruth Coleman, North Wiltshire District Council, Monkton Park, Wiltshire SN15 1EE.