Calls to remove parking spaces in Market Drayton after safety fears
Public parking spaces could be removed from part of Market Drayton town centre to ease safety concerns.
Fears have been raised that the spaces by the stage door at Festival Drayton Centre in Frogmore Road are proving to be a hazard as cars try to avoid them.
Market Drayton Town Council will discuss the issue at its meeting tomorrow where it will consider asking Shropshire Council to remove them.
Julie Jones, town council clerk, said the item had been requested by Shropshire councillor for Market Drayton Roger Hughes.
"Vehicles are coming around the corner too fast, meaning they swing around the spaces," she said. "Because they are pulling out wide it means there isn't enough room for vehicles to pass each other as it is too narrow.
"I have noticed myself cars pulling out along there.
"It is not the loading bay outside the Festival Drayton Centre. It is the other spaces that the council will discuss asking to be removed."
Mrs Jones added: "We have also received a complaint about people are parking in those spaces and just staying there."
The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the town council's community and governance committee in the town hall at 7.30pm tomorrow.
At the meeting the council will also consider sending a letter of support in connection with setting up a community speed watch group.
The council will also consider giving financial help to this year's Drayton Arts Festival.
This year's event will take place from October 27 to 29, and will once again feature storytelling, dancing, arts and craft.
Events will be held in venues in and around the town such as the Festival Drayton Centre, the library, local pubs, local churches and the high street.
Issues with car parking have come under the spotlight in the town over the last few weeks.
Police in Market Drayton have stepped up their patrols to check car parking spaces at the swimming pool's car park are not being misused.
Recently, several untaxed vehicles, believed to be owned by the same person, were seized by police from the car park in Newtown.
Shropshire Council is looking at introducing new signs at the car park to tackle the problem of a lack of available parking spaces. The signs would aim to prevent people from leaving their cars there longer than 24 hours.
It comes just weeks after motorists claimed they are being forced to abandon their cars on grass verges and pavements because of a lack of parking at the car park.
