‘Nothing to fear’ over Shropshire car parking changes, say officials
Officials today insisted traders and motorists have "nothing to fear" when proposed changes to car parking are rolled out across Shropshire.
They said the controversial new arrangements will be more efficient, easier to understand and will benefit trade.
While prices for on-street parking are set to rise, along with permits for residents and season ticket holders, a new 'free' tariff for Sunday parking and Bank Holidays will be introduced.
There will be a set price per hour to park and a 15 minutes pop and shop will be available in all car parks and on-street parking areas. At present the pop and shop allocation is 25 minutes.
The changes, which form park of the council's car parking strategy, will first be introduced in Shrewsbury in September before being spread out across the county.
New ticketing machines are being installed in Frankwell Car Park this week and drivers will then be able to pay by card, cash, over the phone or by using an app.
Shaun Sutton, Shropshire Council's parking enforcement supervisor said that, as a born and bred Shropshire man, all he wished for was for the county to thrive.
"We have the most tolerant enforcement policy in the country," he said.
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"We are trying to make things easier for motorists, visitors and shoppers. We will be offering premier parking within the river loop and value parking on the outskirts. Pop and shop will remain. Parking will be cheaper. It will benefit trade."
Kevin Aitkin, transport commissioner added that concessions to the strategy had been made following consultation with the public and a number of proposals had been relaxed, adding: "We listened to what people had to say."
Council officers were in Shrewsbury yesterday to explain the changes.
But one businessman with 40 years experience said the plan is 'financial suicide' for the town centre.
Jeweller Nigel Woodroffe said: "Parking has always been an issue. We need people to access the town at a reasonable price - then this town will boom. It is a shambles. We are creating the wealth of Shrewsbury but at the rate things are going, people will start packing up. Whoever has thought this up has no idea how to run a business."
Gwen Burgess, owner of Darwin's Coffee Shop on Shoplatch has launched the highstreetevolution Facebook page and started a petition. She said that councillors and planners "in their ivory towers" need to speak to people on the street and make drastic changes to the proposed strategy and provide a much improved bus service.
John Hall, owner of Write Here! on the High Street said that traders in the town were facing a 'challenging time'.
"Things are pretty difficult right now," he said. "The council is strapped for cash to pay for some important things. This is just another challenge. People do not like uncertainty."
