Shrews fans face parking peril

Drivers will soon be banned from parking along the road next to Shrewsbury Town's new £15 million stadium, it was revealed yesterday.

Double yellow lines will be painted along the whole length of Oteley Road in a bid to avoid traffic snarl-ups.

But parking bays on the stretch, which have limited waiting times, will not be changed.

Fans travelling to the ground by car will instead be encouraged to use nearby "park and walk" sites or "park and ride" services from further afield.

Jason Hughes, Shropshire County Council's senior engineer, said: "These works in Oteley Road are being carried out in conjunction with the building of the new football stadium. Double yellow lines will prohibit parking along the full stretch of the road enabling traffic to flow easily.

"The parking bay restrictions will see no change."

Sutton Road, also near the New Meadow, was shut for several weeks earlier this year while work was carried out on traffic calming measures.

The aim is to slow down motorists, reduce accidents and discourage supporters from using the road on matchdays.

Shrewsbury Town has drawn up a detailed travel plan setting out how it will get fans to the stadium next season.

The club claims that the plan aims to "promote sustainable travel choices" and to reduce the reliance on private cars to get to and from the Oteley Road venue.

The club has been working to overcome transport problems at the ground, which has only 670 car parking spaces.

The plan proposes two "park and walk" sites with 100 spaces at Brooklands Hotel and Sutton Grange Nursery, both are less than 20 minute walks from the ground.