Car park fees increase to go ahead after cabinet approves plan

The proposals, which include a series of hikes in Shrewsbury, were first unveiled in April, but had been delayed by a consultation period and scrutiny committee examination of the proposals.

A number of changes were made following the scrutiny committee meeting, but there has only been one change since the public consultation.

The authority's Conservative cabinet today voted to approve the changes - with one amendment in response to the public reaction.

Councillor Dan Morris, the council's cabinet member for highways said the majority of criticisms of the plans from the consultation were not considered "substantive enough" to change the proposals.

He said: "Consultation took place after the general election and comments and objections were invited up until 8th of august.

"Analysis of these comments leads the report to consider that all but one of the measures agreed in April should be progressed to implementation.

"The points made basically do not constitute an argument substantive enough to change what was agreed earlier this year in April."

The one aspect which will change comes due to concerns about the impact on the area's night-time economy, both for workers and visitors.

It will see the £1 evening charge for parking at Abbey Foregate and St Julian's Friars removed.

The report detailing the responses to the consultation revealed that there were 334 objections to the changes, with respondents giving a number of reasons for their concerns.

The criticisms were bracketed into 16 separate categories, including worries about the increase being 'above inflation', to 'generate revenue', 'deterring shoppers', that it will 'harm the economy', and lead people to go to 'other towns'. 

The price increases were strongly criticised by Shrewsbury BID, which campaigned to have them changed.

Included in a raft of changes the hourly rate at Frankwell in Shrewsbury will rise from 80 to £1.20, and the yearly permit will go up from £640 to £960.

The hourly charge at Abbey Foregate will also rise from 60p to 80p, and an annual season ticket at the car park will be up from £480 to £640.

For Sundays there will be a charge of one hour maximum at car parks where there is currently no Sunday charge.

Earlier this year the council also rejected calls to scrap a 40p an hour charge for parking in Wem.