Councillors urged to fight Market Drayton parking changes
A rallying cry has been made to Market Drayton town councillors to help residents and businesses fight plans to radically change car parking charges in the town.
Almost 2,000 people have signed petitions against the plans which would see some parking charges increase, Market Drayton's only free car park in Newport Road become chargeable and the 15 minutes 'pop and shop' scheme finish.
In addition currently motorists can park for free from 6pm to 8am across the county in designated bays but this will change to 8pm to 9am.
Geoff Vernon, chairman of the Festival Drayton Centre, recently attended a meeting of Market Drayton Town Council to urge them to support the town.
He told councillors: "The town is absolutely seething, it cannot come to terms in any way with the proposals from Shropshire Council to change car parking arrangements.
"You were elected amongst other things to promote, protect and provide for our town.
"These lunatic proposals present you with a golden opportunity to restore some credibility and respect to Market Drayton Town Council where there is currently very little.
"This is illustrated by many recent comments of 'Well, don't go to the town council because they will not do anything'.
"What this community wants is individual and collective passion from all of you to fight this attack on the well being of our town.
"At the Festival Centre we see the proposals as a wide issue for the whole town and community but obviously we think the raising of the charging threshold from 6pm to 8pm is particularly destructive, negative and punishing for us as an organisation and the thousands of people who use the centre
"However we do have three secret weapons – our three elected Shropshire councillors. This is a very important matter for our town and community - the townsfolk are livid and we must all go forward together to do our best for all."
Councillor Roy Aldcroft, Shropshire councillor for Market Drayton East, said: “Shropshire Council need to raise another £5.1 million from this exercise. We have to accept that charges need to go up to some extent but I think that keeping the Newport Road car free is a must.
“I think it is important the public should get involved with this and write/email Shropshire Council with their views. If we don’t tell them they won’t know.”
Market Drayton town council said the parking issues will be discussed at a town meeting and LJC meeting in September. Market Drayton's short-stay car parks on Frogmore Road and Queen Street currently charge 50p for one hour, 90p for two hours and £1.30 for a maximum stay of three hours.
Under the new proposals motorists will pay 50p per hour and be allowed to park without a maximum stay limit.
Towers Lawn car park which is currently 10p for two hours, 50p for four hours, £1 for six hours and £1.80 for 10 hours, would increase to 30p per hour.
Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Understandably many people will focus on proposed changes to parking charges.
"However, the focus is very much on providing an improved parking service that makes use of the latest technology, is consistent across the county, makes it easier for people to understand how much it costs to park, and provides a variety of new ways to pay. The proposals will also help us to reduce congestion and pollution in our market towns."
To take part in the consultation, go to shropshire.gov.uk/parking-consultation
Printed copies of the consultation documents are available from Shropshire Council libraries and customer service points, and on request by calling 0345 678 9028.
The consultation runs until October 14.
