Calls for Shropshire Council parking fee review

Business leaders have called on Shropshire Council to review controversial parking charges amid fears shoppers are staying away.

Members of Whitchurch Chamber of Trade want charges scrapped, just six months after they were introduced into the town.

The chamber is to contact the council with three proposals: Making parking free in all car parks; lowering the charges; or introducing a disc system that would allow disc holders to park for a certain time without charge.

Therese Hickland, chairwoman of Whitchurch Chamber of Trade, said since charges were introduced the car parks have become empty.

She said: "The chamber is asking for a breakdown of the income and expenditure since the parking charges came in."

Shropshire Council cabinet member Simon Jones said that as parking charges have only been in place since September, 'we would need to consider carefully if any changes would be required at this stage', but said the council 'is committed to carrying out a review after 12 months'.