Parking charges set to be re-introduced to selected Shropshire car parks

Shropshire Council has announced that visitors to Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Oswestry will again be charged for parking in certain car parks, after all charges were suspended in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

From next Monday, June 1, charges will apply in a number of town centre car parks, while all other car parks remain free until further notice.

In Shrewsbury, visitors will be charged at Raven Meadows multi-storey, Bridge Street, St Austin's Street, Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre and St Julian's Friar. In Ludlow, the Castle Street car park will also start charging.

For visitors to Bridgnorth, the Sainsbury’s and Listley Street (north and south) car parks will again charge, as well as the Festival Square car park in Oswestry.

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Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "With our car parks getting busier as people return to work, and with many shops set to reopen soon, we’ve decided to re-introduce charges in some car parks from next week – while ensuring that there is free parking for our key workers.

"A number of important factors have been considered in making this decision. These include our current work to encourage and enable people to safely and confidently visit our town centres; the need to manage parking behaviour; and the need to return to charging for car parks in a manner that supports and contributes to the economy of Shropshire – and that supports steps to reducing carbon emissions in line with our Climate Emergency declaration.

"Public health and safety is clearly a priority and we acknowledge that some people may be wary about using, or queuing at, the pay and display machines. We advise people to follow the social distancing guidelines at all times, and encourage car park users to use the MiPermit app through which they can pay to park without having to use a machine.

"Due to the national lockdown easing, and evidence that some town centre car parks are increasing in use of people parking all day, there is currently no turnover or churn of parking spaces.

"This partial reintroduction of charges will encourage people to use car parks on the edges of the town centres as these will be free of charge, and encourage this turnover and the provision of accessible car parking."

In line with Government advice, parking has been free for NHS and key workers, and continues to be. On-street parking charges remained in place.

Work is currently being carried out across the county to improve car park surfaces, treat potholes and repaint line markings. This work is due to be completed in early June.