Communities Secretary Eric Pickles backs Shropshire traders in parking tickets war

Mr Pickles, secretary of state for communities and local government, has said motorists who stop at local shops for 10 minutes should no longer be issued with parking tickets.

He wants to end the 'over-zealous culture of parking enforcement' and called on 'officious' wardens to be more lenient in a bid to help boost the economy.

Traders across Shropshire have welcomed Mr Pickles' stance – and have come forward with their own stories, claiming parking wardens are 'killing' market towns.

They believe shoppers are being driven away from towns by the presence of parking wardens, costing them customers.

John Murray, owner of the Treacle Mine cafe and sweet shop in Wem, said: "I totally agree with Mr Pickles. We have traffic wardens coming to Wem when there is absolutely no need – they are even in the town when most of the shops are shut.

"They are overzealous and they need taking to account. They have been booking people quite frequently lately and it's killing the town. I had someone pop in for a coffee last week and said they had just had a run-in with a traffic warden. He said he won't be returning to Wem again, so I've lost another customer.

"Civil servants are being cut from the local authority but I'd like to see a few of these traffic wardens cut. How much money can they actually make from policing Wem anyway?"

John Harrison, who runs North Salop Wheelers, said: "Eric Pickles thinks we should have at least 10 minutes parking in towns and I completely agree.

"In Shropshire the parking wardens even charge disabled people who stop.

"People will now drive to the other end of the world so long as they won't be charged.

"I know people in Whitchurch are travelling to Nantwich to do their shopping now because they feel more welcome there.

"People, especially disabled people, run out of steam when they are shopping. You want to be able to pop into a town without having to worry about taking too long and it then costing you a fortune."

Wendy Unwin, at Gates gift shop in Oswestry, said: "People are worried about getting a ticket and they don't shop long."

Martin Key, healthier and sustainable environment service manager for Shropshire Council, said: "In Shropshire we currently carry out a 10 minute observation period of any vehicle parked in a pay and display location without a ticket, whether they are on-street or in a car park, prior to issuing a penalty charge notice.

"However there are many locations, such as places where a loading ban is in force or there are zig-zag lines associated with a pedestrian crossing, where a PCN will be issued instantly. To allow motorists to park in such locations is irresponsible and, in some cases, dangerous."