Answers sought over Shrewsbury park and ride failure
Queues and delays in Shrewsbury caused by a park and ride system that failed to keep up with demand on one of the busiest shopping days of the year have been described as "unacceptable".
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for highways and transport, has responded to complaints from those who took to social media to criticise Shrewsbury's park and ride.
The service caused misery for shoppers on Saturday with more 100 people waiting at one point at the car park at Meole Brace – while the situation at Oxon was not much better.
Councillor Jones said "important" lessons were learned by Shropshire Council and Arriva – who provide the park and ride service on behalf of the council – following the chaos.
It happened on the same day the first Christmas Festival in the Quarry welcomed about 5,000 through its gates.
Those who attended the event took to its Facebook page, Shrewsbury Christmas Festival, to complain about the delays.
Councillor Jones said: "It's clear that last Saturday – due to heavy traffic in and around the town centre – the Shrewsbury park and ride failed to operate in the way that customers and the council would expect. The queues and delays that people faced are unacceptable.
"We have asked Arriva – who provide the park and ride service on our behalf – to provide a full explanation for the delays that people experienced on Saturday."
Councillor Jones said extra buses were laid on on Saturday but according to Arriva, the congestion was so severe it made "little difference".
This follows on from changes made to the town's park and ride in November.
Although all three park and ride sites at Meole Brace, Harlescott and Oxon have been retained, fewer buses run, with one every 20 minutes instead of "up to every 10 minutes" and "up to every 15 minutes" as previously.
Buses also stop running at 6.20pm – a move that was criticised for its potential effect on people wishing to take part in late-night shopping in the run up to Christmas.
Councillor Jones said: "When the new service began in November we promised users an improved and more reliable service, and I am determined that this is what they will get.
"It's important that both Shropshire Council and Arriva learn lessons from Saturday, and we will take steps to ensure that these problems don't happen again – including allowing Arriva to put on additional buses when necessary
."
