Parking fees rake in £5m for Shropshire Council

The authority generated £4.8 million from fees in 2011/12, a nine per cent increase on the previous year when it received £4.4 million.

Council bosses today defended the windfall, saying the cost of maintaining the car parks rose.

They said the cost had gone up £100,000 to £2.2 million last year.

It follows a series of controversies over spiralling costs and new charges for parking in Shropshire.

On-street charges will be brought in on Sundays in Ludlow and Shrewsbury from January 20, less than two years after the council hiked on-street fees in some towns and introduced them in others for the first time.

This month's changes will also see Sunday off-street parking charges cut in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Ludlow.

Free Sunday parking will also come into force in Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Ellesmere, Wem, Church Stretton and Much Wenlock.

Graham Galliers, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, today said fee rises were hitting traders.

Mr Galliers said: "I would be interested to know how many cars came into the towns rather than how many pounds have been counted."

Shropshire Council cabinet member for transport, Councillor Simon Jones, said the changes due to come in this month would result in a loss of income for the council.

He said: "The recent review of parking and the resulting actions will cost the council more than £200,000 next year, but it is anticipated that residents, visitors, traders and local attractions will benefit.

"All the income is committed for delivering essential highway and transport services such as improving and maintaining the car parks, local highways works, and providing subsidised local bus services."

Ludlow Chamber of Trade warned last month that introducing new on-street Sunday charges in the town would hit trade.