Shrewsbury Food Festival-goers' parking ticket shock

Wardens issued 23 tickets for parking offences in the town centre on Sunday – but 12 have since been refunded as a "gesture of goodwill", according to council bosses. Four of the 12 parking tickets were issued to traders at Shrewsbury Market Hall on Sunday.

In the run-up to the food festival, Shropshire Council announced it would grant free Sunday parking in its three long stay car parks – Frankwell, St Julian's Friars and Abbey Foregate.

Jocelyne Adams found herself with a £25 ticket after travelling from Bridgnorth for the festival and parking in Princess Street.

She said: "I returned to my car after two hours at the festival and was shocked to see a parking ticket slapped on it – as were many other people in my situation.

"I googled 'free parking offer' and found many references to it, including in the council's Twitter account, but I didn't realise that free on-street parking was restricted to one hour – something I could only find mentioned in the small print of the food festival website."

Clare Wild, Shropshire Council cabinet member with responsibilities for parking, said the council was aware of public confusion over its advice.

She said: "In support of the Shrewsbury Food Festival, the council granted free parking in the long stay, council-owned car parks in the town.

"This was announced on February 28 and was the same arrangement that was made for the Cartoon Festival in April.

"As soon as we became aware of public confusion surrounding the arrangements for the free car parks, we worked with the festival and did what we could to ensure this didn't affect the overall success of the event.

"The 12 tickets for over-stay/no ticket have been revoked as a gesture of goodwill to both the festival organisers and the public.

"This was the first festival of its kind in Shrewsbury and it has proved extremely popular.

"Festival organisers already have next year's event in the pipeline and we wish them well for future years."