Council rejects fury over Wem car park fees
Council bosses today dismissed claims they had ignored pleas to save free parking in a Shropshire town.
Wem Town Council believes it has been ignored by Shirehall over a review of parking charges introduced in the town last year.
Civic leaders said they lobbied to preserve the status quo, which gives motorists the first hour's parking free from Monday to Saturday, but their concerns were brushed aside.
Under the changes, Wem's car parks would charge 10p for up to two hours from Monday to Saturday, in return for free Sunday and bank holiday parking, which traders and town leaders believe will not benefit the high street as most shops are closed then.
But Shirehall leaders today defended the recommendations, which are going before cabinet for approval on October 17.
But at a meeting of the town council Councillor Chris Mellings, who is also a Shropshire Council member, said: "On parking we have tried to make representations for Wem, but no-one was listening."
And Councillor Mandy Meakin said: "Parking charges are the main contention in Wem, and they cause everybody to go out of town. Traders say the charges are killing our town."
But Simon Jones, Shropshire Council cabinet member for transport, said: "The free parking offer for one hour was causing problems with tickets being printed and being stuck all over machines.
"The proposed new charging bands mean that people will be able to park for up to two hours for just 10p – and Sunday charges are being removed completely after listening to the representations made to us.
"The charges for Wem are still some of the lowest in council car parks."
The changes would apply to all Shropshire Council-owned car parks in Wem.
