Controversial plans for car parking approved
Controversial plans to change parking across the county has been approved by Shropshire Council bosses.
The authority's cabinet approved the car parking strategy, which attracted protests from hundreds of residents and workers in Shrewsbury and Ludlow on Tuesday evening.
But changes have now been made to some of the initial proposals, which have been met with praise.
Parking and permits across the county will follow a ‘linear’ tariff, with all car parks and on-street provision sorted into seven bands.
The charges for each car park in the county will be different, depending on where it is and the demand for spaces.
Amendments
The charge in Shrewsbury was initially due to be £2.50, but has been changed to 10p less, and as such a consultation on the finer details needs to be held before it can be formally approved.
Market traders can currently purchase a waiver to allow all day parking in the town centre car parks.
The authority proposed to withdraw all waivers, but has now said that Ludlow's Castle car park waivers can remain.
On-street parking charging periods were proposed to be extended to 8pm but the changes for Ludlow have been scrapped, and also in Frankwell car park in Shrewsbury.
A free five-minute concessionary period will be available in Shrewsbury and Ludlow's on-street pay and display car parks.
Long time coming
Councillor Steve Davenport, portfolio holder for transport and highways, said the changes have been a "long time coming".
He said: "This is the largest consultation we've done in Shropshire for quite some time.
"It's changed quite dramatically from what the original plan was.
"I've been lobbied by members, chambers and BIDs throughout the county and we have changed it quite a lot."
'War zone'
Councillor for Castlefields Alan Mosley asked for changes not to be implemented until the roadworks in the town centre are completed to protect the trade.
He said: "The state of Shrewsbury town centre is more like a war zone that a shopping centre at the moment.
"It would be a benefit to suspend the changes until after the completion of the works."
Ludlow’s MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the decision not to press ahead with some of the new parking measures.
Mr Dunne said: “I had made clear to Shropshire Council my view that the proposed changes put forward to the parking strategy were likely to hinder, rather than help, trade in the town centre.
"So I am very pleased the council has listened to my concerns, and the concerns of the many local people in Ludlow who turned out on Tuesday night to protest against the planned changes.”
Shrewsbury BID said the final strategy includes important changes and represents a significant shift from original proposals.
The BID will monitor the impact of the proposed changes, reviewing footfall and trading figures shared by its members.
The changes are due to be implemented in Shrewsbury in September, Ludlow in November, Bridgnorth in December, Oswestry in January and all other areas in February.
