Former Shrewsbury mayor not happy with 'greedy' parking changes
Shrewsbury's former mayor will be taking action over planned changes to car parking in the town, which she has labelled "greedy" and "short sighted".
Shropshire Council's cabinet approved plans for changes to car parking in the county earlier this year - but a consultation about the appropriate traffic regulation orders has been extended due to "technical issues".
Councillor Jane MacKenzie, for Bayston Hill, Column and Sutton, said that the authority takes "absolutely no notice of what local people want".
She said: "They have already completely ignored the views of over 2,000 Shrewsbury residents, who responded to their last consultation, with an overwhelming rejection of their proposals to increase pay and display car parking charges.
"And, to add insult to injury, the council has spitefully decided to remove the 15 minute grace period for shoppers to 'pop and shop' before being charged.
"They have also withdrawn the daily £2 fee for market traders to park on Frankwell car park when the market is open."
Councillor MacKenzie said that the changes will "kill trade" in Shrewsbury and shoppers will be driven to other centres.
She added: "I am angry about this hike in car parking prices, which penalises visitors for wanting to spent time and money in our beautiful town.
"It is a greedy, short sighted policy, which unfairly targets both our residents, and the small independent businesses struggling to make a living in town.
"These businesses are already reeling from being hit by increased rents and rates, and I'm certain that this final body blow will finish some of them off."
Councillor MacKenzie said she now is prepared to take action if others agree.
"So whilst Shropshire Council is busy congratulating itself on splashing out millions on buying the major shopping centres in town, our small and vulnerable independent shops are suffering and may not survive the stranglehold this charges will impose," she said.
"I am passionately opposed to this disastrous policy, and if other local people agree, then I am prepared to take action.
"Shropshire Council won't listen to what local people said in response to their own consultation, so we clearly need to get the message over to them in a more direct way.
"We are not willing to allow our town centre to be sacrificed because of their greed. It is unfair, short sighted and just plain wrong."
For more information, visit http://shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/shropshire-council-s-parking-strategy-additional-proposals/
