U-turn expected on charges for parking in Shrewsbury and Ludlow
A U-turn over on-street parking charges in Shrewsbury and Ludlow is set to be rubber-stamped by Shropshire Council cabinet members.
After previously agreeing to increase the charging periods in the face of strong opposition – which led to demonstrations in both towns – the council now looks set to agree motorists will be able to park for free after 6pm in on-street pay and display parking bays.
At a meeting of the cabinet next Wednesday, members are being asked to ratify a proposal which will see only minimal changes made to parking across the county.
In papers released this week, Shropshire Council officers say in a report: “At its meeting on July 25 cabinet resolved to extend the hours of operation and charging on all on-street pay and display parking places within the Shrewsbury town centre river loop to 8pm.
“Since this decision opposition to the evening charges proposal has continued to be received. A request has recently been received from the Shrewsbury BID to retain the current hours of charging on all pay and display on-street at 6pm within the Shrewsbury river loop."
It adds: “If cabinet now wishes to amend the parking strategy to retain the existing hours of charging (free parking after 6pm on all on-street pay and display parking places within the Shrewsbury town centre river loop) cabinet will need to resolve to amend their previous resolution to make an order to amend the traffic regulation order to extend the hours implementation.
Experience
“The evening economy is increasingly about the ‘experience’ of the place, for example feeling safe, having choices of where to meet/eat/drink, leisure activities.
“There are challenges to overcome for our town centres, encouraging dwell time into the evening beyond 6pm is one of the more challenging issues.
"The potential amendment does give response to the objections and comments received.”
Extended charging periods for Ludlow and Shrewsbury’s Frankwell car park were proposed but scrapped before the decision went to cabinet in July.
It had been proposed that in Ludlow on-street parking charges would come in to force at 8pm.
A free five-minute concessionary period will be available in Shrewsbury and Ludlow’s on-street pay and display car parks.
Shropshire Council says said it will review the situation 12 months after the new charges come later this year.
A report to cabinet ahead of next week’s meeting recommends that ‘cabinet give consideration to the amendment of the parking strategy framework as is required to reflect the decision already made to retain the existing hours of charging on all on street pay and display parking places in Ludlow and the subsequent concerns raised and amend the parking strategy framework as is required and deemed appropriate to reflect the retention of the existing hours of charging on all on street pay and display parking places within the Shrewsbury town centre river loop’.
Bid sparked widespread outcry
It has been one of Shropshire Council’s most controversial proposals and has prompted demonstrations and rallies across the county.
The finalisation of the council’s parking strategy looks set to take place next week – but it could be months before it comes in to action.
Finer details are still being thrashed out, more than a year since the scheme was first put forward.
Changes include parking and permits across the county following 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.
Shropshire Council claims the changes will help to improve air quality and ease congestion, allowing traffic to move more freely.
They also say it will be easier for motorists to understand.
But the proposed changes led to widespread opposition, with warnings that extra charges would badly effect towns that are already having to fight to survive economically.
Earlier this summer, shopkeepers and business owners took to the streets of Ludlow and Shrewsbury to voice their disquiet over the proposed changes to parking charges and on-street restrictions. Hundreds turned out in each town, wielding placards.
Ludlow’s MP Philip Dunne got involved and helped to change the council’s mind on tariffs for the town.
