More than 100 drivers hit with fines over evening parking in Ludlow

Shropshire councillors Andy Boddington, Tracey Huffer and Vivienne Parry have made the call after dozens of visitors to Ludlow fell foul of "confusing" evening parking rules in the town's central square.

They have said the enforcement campaign run by Shropshire Council should be halted until a review of how best to tackle evening parking problems is carried out.

This, they said, must be backed up by an information campaign, along with better signage and lighting.

According to the councillors, rules have become stricter in the town's Market Square over recent weeks.

People can park on the red part, owned by Ludlow Town Council, after 6pm. But anyone parking on the cobbles around the Market Square, which is monitored by Shropshire Council, will be booked.

Councillor Parry said: "We were expecting a crackdown on vehicles that are parked badly. That includes people that park in the approach to Quality Square.

"These drivers could stop emergency vehicles getting access to properties in the square and in College Court.

"But no-one knew that Shropshire Council was planning to crackdown on every minor infringement and issue so many fines."

Councillor Huffer said: "This has been a tough year for Ludlow.

"We have had Ludford Bridge closed for months. Now we have this heavy handed operation to fine people for parking in places where they have been parking for years.

"We need to keep this town alive in the evenings. People causing an obstruction should be penalised but we need a bit of give and take.

"Shropshire Council should be working hand in hand with Ludlow Town Council and the chamber of trade to promote Ludlow's economy."

The trio of councillors now wants to see the crackdown suspended, except where people are parking dangerously or impeding disabled access.

In a statement, they said that since July 5, Shropshire Council's civil enforcement officers have issued more than 100 penalty charge notices after 6pm.

Councillor Boddington said: "As councillors, we believe the solution lies in engaging with local people and visitors, not slapping fines on them. "People don't know where they can park. We asked two years ago for the yellow lines approaching Quality Square to be repainted. No action has been taken.

"We need improvements to lighting too, so that people feel comfortable walking from the town car parks.

"We want the current punitive enforcement regime to stop. We should draw up a new approach that welcomes people into our town at night.

"An approach that says that Ludlow is open for business in the evenings. That means better signage, clearer lines on the street and better lighting. Once we get that in place, we can talk about a more measured approach to enforcement in our town."

Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council's cabinet member with responsibility for parking regulation, has previously said there had been "proportionate action" to address parking problems in the town.