Shrewsbury Town fans make most of parking deal

Top-level talks will take place this week between Shrewsbury Town and Shropshire Council over providing parking for supporters of the League Two club next season.

It follows a successful opening night parking trial on Tuesday when up to 300 fans parked at the Meole Brace Park and Ride car park so they could attend the Town's game, which resulted 2-2 draw with Oxford United.

The council agreed to open the car park up for the remaining three evening fixtures after dozens of motorists claimed to have been targeted by over-zealous parking wardens during a clash against Crawley Town last week.

The fans had parked on grass verges leading up to the closed park and ride service and were each fined £75.

Talks will now be held to discuss how the local authority can help with football parking for next season, fuelling speculation that opening up the park and ride could become a regular arrangement.

Councillor Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council, said: "We are going to be having a meeting with Shrewsbury Town this week to discuss how we can be helpful with parking for supporters next season.

"We expect at least a couple of things to come out of that meeting after discussing the current situation with them."

He added: "I went to the game on Tuesday and before it I popped round to the park and ride car park to see how it was faring on the opening night and was really pleased to see up to 300 cars parked there."

It will also be open for the next two evening games, against Cheltenham Town on March 20 and administration-threatened Port Vale on March 27.

See also:

• Shrewsbury Town fans quick to take up free parking offer

• Park and ride to be opened for Shrewsbury Town games

• Shrewsbury Town fans fuming at match parking fines