Shrewsbury Town fans told car park will open again for night matches

The stop on supporters parking at the Meole Brace Park and Ride site before walking to evening games was met with frustration.

Fans learned of the blow via the travel plan page on Shrewsbury Town Football Club's website which read: "Meole Brace P&R is NOT available until further notice."

However, this afternoon the council said that although the car park had been closed for the game against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday the intention was for it to be open for the next midweek home game against Carlisle on September 16.

Councillor Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said: "We never said we intended to ban the football club from using the Meole Brace Park and Ride car park for midweek matches, and we hope the majority of fans appreciate that allowing the car park to be used was an act of goodwill by the council which first started two years ago.

"There are just some details to discuss with the club to ensure the arrangement can continue, and we fully expect to be able to open the car park again for the next midweek game on 16 September."

The car park can only be used for midweek evening matches, as it is used as a Park and Ride car park during the day.

Tuesday night's game saw just 4,298 people at the 9,875 capacity stadium and some fans feared the turnout would be even less if the car park remained unavailable.

Town fan, Paul Robinson, 32, drove from Oswestry to see the 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley. But he said a lack of free parking would deter him from going.

He said: "I couldn't believe it when I first saw we couldn't park there. It's very frustrating because if people have to pay for parking it all adds up.

"In the past I've parked in the town centre and got a taxi in. It's not ideal. It would make me think twice about going in future."

David Matthias, spokesman for the Blue and Amber Fanzine, said: "The period when fans were allowed to park for free in the park and ride in the evenings was very popular and took hundreds of vehicles away from surrounding areas." "

Scores of fans took to the Blue and Amber internet forum to express their concerns. Onthepitch wrote: "Add £5 parking to the price of a ticket and it's STFC losing out as people are already moaning about the cost of going to the games."

Earlier a Shropshire Council spokesman had said: "Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town FC have agreed that Meole Brace Park & Ride site won't be used for evening games for the time being. However, a meeting to discuss use of the site is due to be held in the near future."

The club's media manager Ian Whitfield told the Shropshire Star: "Talks are ongoing between the club and council."