Councillor quits over Bishop's Castle parking row

A Shropshire town councillor has quit the authority after eight years, blaming her sudden departure on an ongoing row over parking in Bishop's Castle.

Councillor Miranda Stanley said she had had enough after three years of wrangling over parking restrictions.

Today she said: "Some three years ago, I proposed that the present single yellow lines and threat of double yellow lines and traffic wardens in Bishop's Castle needed some thought.

"The town council decided that, for a year's trial, we would apply to the Shropshire Highways Department to remove all yellow lines – many being unnecessary and others no use at weekends and after 6pm – and replace them with simple, single white lines where no parking should take place at any time."

Councillor Stanley said the council thought the system would be self-policing and inexpensive, would allow free parking and increase on-street parking.

She added: "Three years on and endless meetings with county council officials, the answer appears to be 'No! You in Bishop's Castle don't know what's good for you and you will have imposed upon you that which we decide in Shrewsbury is good for you.'

"Eight years as a member of the town council has turned me into such a cynic that I am resigning."

Shropshire Council received a complaint about Councillor Stanley in April alleging she had breached the code of conduct but no action was taken.

Ron Buzzacott, Shropshire Council's head of technical services, said discussions about parking in the town were ongoing.

He said: "It has been agreed by all parties that the existing parking restrictions in the town are not appropriate."