Go-ahead for consultation on Shropshire car park fees shake-up

Members of Shropshire Council's Cabinet gave the proposals the green light at a meeting yesterday.

Now people will asked their views on the scheme, which would bring changes to on-street parking charges, increased charging periods, a 'linear' charging system across the county and Shrewsbury's Raven Meadows car park opening 24 hours a day.

Under the proposals, the council also wants to bring in pricing bands across its 78 car parks.

But Councillor Pauline Dee, who represents Wem, said she was concerned that many of those who would be affected by changes to parking charges were 'busy trying to make a living' and would not be able to find the time to take part in the consultation.

Councillor Alan Mosley, Labour leader on Shropshire Council, queried where the potential revenue raised by the increase in charges would be spent. He said: "Will any additional money raised from parking in a given area be spent within that area?"

But Steven Davenport, Shropshire Council's member for highways and transport, refused to be drawn on how the revenue would be spent apart from to say it would be reinvested in to the parking system and would be used to upgrade surfaces, widen parking bays and improve lighting.

Councillor Mosley added: "There is a lot of concern that this will damage businesses. I hope we are prepared to be challenged on this. It could deter people from coming in to the town centre. We are starting off with a deterrent to people coming in to the area."

He also raised the issue of motorists looking for parking spaces in residential areas. "It will drive people to look in residential areas such as Castlefields, Belle Vue and Copthorne for their parking needs. There is going to be considerable disquiet about this not just in the town but in other areas too."

Councillor Roger Evans, Liberal Democrat leader on Shropshire Council said: "Those with interests in Meole Brace Retail Park will be clapping their hands at this. To me, this is going to kill a lot of shopping in Shrewsbury. It does not make sense if you want to take Shropshire forward."

Later in the meeting, cabinet members also agreed that a consultation in to a draft plan for the funding of libraries would take place with a final report going to the full council in the autumn.

Councillors passed a recommendation that there should be an immediate halt to the discussions regarding the future of Shrewsbury's swimming pool.

Last year, Shropshire Council agreed to close the pool at the Quarry and build a replacement at Sundorne Sports Village. But following public pressure, the authority gave interested parties a further 12 months to come up with a business plan.

But yesterday cabinet members voted to stop proceedings and ordered a fresh review to be carried out by Shropshire Council.