Parking permits plan for Shrewsbury town centre residents

Parking permits could be introduced in Shrewsbury town centre in a move to cut down on drivers trying to avoid hefty fees by parking in side streets and outside other people's homes.

The cost of permits in Wem, Ellesmere, Market Drayton and Whitchurch and Bridgnorth could also change.

Under a review of car parking across the county, Shropshire Council is considering bringing in permits which would allow Shrewsbury town centre residents to use some of its car parks for about £150 a year.

Councillor Simon Jones said: "Hopefully it will deter people from parking on the street and get them to park in the car parks."

The plans would also see the scrapping of a voucher parking system which the authority inherited from the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.

The review of parking follows news that the council saw a £470,000 drop in profits from its car parks in the past financial year.