Views sought on new charges for Ludlow's car parks

The parking scheme and charges came into force last November and saw the introduction of new linear tariffs, ranging from 30p per hour to £1.80, at all car parks and on-street zones.

The town council wants to gauge the views of its traders and visitors before Shropshire Council reviews the parking strategy in May.

Mayor of Ludlow, Councillor Tim Gill, said the feedback he has received from people in the town has not been positive.

Councillor Gill said: "Shropshire Council is telling us how wonderful things are in the town after the new parking charges have been implemented, and how there has been a huge improvement.

"However, what I am being told by the shop owners is that they're not getting customers through the door. You only have to look at the car parks to see how many empty spaces there are. There is more than ever before in the town centre."

The responses to the survey will be presented to Shropshire Council ahead of the parking strategy review in May.

Questionnaire

Every business in Ludlow will receive a questionnaire by the end of this week and the owner will be asked to explain how their business has been affected - either positively or negatively.

There will also be a number of surveys around the town for customers to complete.

Councillor Gill said it is the only way to get "hard evidence".

He wants Shropshire Council to re-instate the 15 minute 'pop and shop' period which has been reduced to just five minutes.

"It has affected people using local shops," he said. "If you want to get some bread and meat from the town centre, you now have to pay the hourly rate. People are put off by this and it's really hit the butchers and bakers in particular.

"I would like to see a return to the old pop and shop or maybe one hour free parking in the town. I can't see if happening but I don't understand why when other towns are doing it.

"We have one business which also has a shop in Stow-on-the-Wold where there is two hours free and that shop is thriving. However, the one in Ludlow isn't.

"I just find it ironic. The council is supposed to be supporting businesses, yet they are not listening to what businesses are saying."

All completed surveys will be collected by Ludlow Town Council on or before April 11.