New twist in parking row as review is announced

Residents concerned about the impact of controversial parking charges in Shropshire towns last year have been told: 'They are here to stay'.

But members of the Wem and Shawbury Local Joint Committee were told Shropshire Council would be reviewing charges across the county from April.

Wem residents have called on the authority to scrap charges there on a Sunday and look at residents' and employee permits as part of the review.

At last night's meeting, they also questioned why the car park at Edinburgh House, which is used by Shropshire Council and the police, remained free.

Councillor Simon Jones, portfolio holder for parking charges, assured them that that would be looked at as part of the review.

But he told the meeting: "Car parking charges are here to stay. They will not be scrapped anywhere in Shropshire."

Shropshire Council claims its parking strategy is designed to bring more consistency across the county and recently revealed it was freezing charges in the coming year.

Although the news has been welcomed by councillors and traders in Wem, many still want them scrapped altogether.

Wem Mayor Councillor Edward Towers said the town's economy was 'fragile'."

LJC chairman, Councillor Pauline Dee, added: "One size doesn't fit all and at the moment things are not viable."