Vow to keep north Shropshire parking charges sparks fury

Businesses and councillors today spoke of their anger after Shirehall bosses vowed controversial parking charges are 'here to stay' despite growing fears they are harming trade in market towns in north Shropshire.

Civic and business leaders in Wem, Ellesmere and Whitchurch have broadly criticised an announcement this week that the charges will not be scrapped, despite Shropshire Council confirming it will review other aspects of the charges.

The review, in April will focus on time limits and Sunday charging.

Whitchurch deputy mayor Rob Hewson said: "The public car parks in Whitchurch are dead, nobody is using them.

"I would like to know if they are even making any money from them because surely these charges aren't helping shopkeepers stay afloat and they are worth lots of revenue to Shirehall in rates.

"The council is trying to get both bites of the cherry but it doesn't seem to be working and I think the charges are the worst idea they've ever had."

Wem Town Council member Peggy Carson echoed his view. She said: "I think the charges are harming the town. The car park used to be full and you had a job finding a space, but now there's always a space. It's a matter of principle. People never used to pay and they still don't want to."

In Ellesmere, chamber of commerce chairman Lincoln McMullan said he felt the current charging regime, which charges motorists 10p for a short stay, generally suited the town, but added he would like to see on-street parking time limits increased as part of any review.

On Monday Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's portfolio holder for parking charges, told the Wem and Shawbury Local Joint Committee meeting in Wem that the charges, introduced in the area after April last year, will remain.