Shrewsbury car parking protestors to block Wyle Cop
Protestors will march through Shrewsbury and block one of the town's roads as they stand against changes to car parking.
The protest has been organised by former mayor of Shrewsbury Councillor Jane Mackenzie, who will meet with other councillors, business owners and residents in The Quarry at 10am tomorrow before marching to the bottom of Wyle Cop and blocking the zebra crossing there.
She said: "I expect a huge level of support from businesses and residents alike, because we are all united in opposing this unfair financial burden being imposed on us.
"Make no mistake, this is a tax on the people of Shrewsbury, and singles the town out as Shropshire Council's cash cow."
Councillor Mackenzie said Ludlow's mayor Tim Gill will be joining the protest.
"We've both been mayors and talked about this a lot," she said.
"This is an issue where mayors feel wer have to have a voice."
Councillor for Bayston Hill, Column and Sutton, Tony Parsons, added: "This does look more like a tax on the residents of Labour led Shrewsbury and Ludlow, with three liberal unitary councillors, subsidising the rest of the Tory controlled county, where parking charges largely range from no charge per hour to 70p per hour -a far cry from the £2.50 per hour being charged in Shrewsbury from July onwards."
Shropshire Council's cabinet approved plans for changes to car parking in the county earlier this year, which recommended new 'linear' tariffs for car parks and on-street permits.
The new policy will see charges change for the first time since 2012, and unify parking across Shropshire, with all car parks and on-street parking provision sorted into seven bands.
