Drivers dismayed by new parking charges in Market Drayton
Motorists in Market Drayton have reacted with dismay to the new parking charge system rolled out across north Shropshire.
Some were concerned the new hourly rates, which came into effect on the town's car parks on Monday, could deter shoppers from coming into the town.
But others welcomed the consistency of the standard rate, and said the prices were still reasonable.
Beverley Parton, who lives in the town and regularly uses the car park at Frogmore Road, branded the 50p rate "disgusting".
She said: "You go to Wellington and Newport and you don't pay to park there, but in Market Drayton they are increasing the charges.
"I go to Telford a fair bit already, I will start going to Newport more often. It's getting to be a joke."
Frogmore Road's car park did charge 50p for the first hour of parking prior to this week, but for a maximum stay of three hours the charge was £1.20.
Under the new system, a three-hour stay costs £1.50 and the maximum charge for a day's parking is £4.
Chris and Izzy Jenner also use Frogmore Road when they go shopping.
"We have five kids so it is just easier to drive," said Chris. "The new charges are a bit steep."
Izzy said: "It is just stupid. Lots of people have kids, there are single parents; every pound counts."
Keith Mountford said he uses the council car parks "every other day", and said the new machines for paying were simple to use.
He said: "It doesn't seem to have changed much, it is still 50p for the first hour. There is no hassle, no grief. It's not a problem at all."
Freya Janes, from Market Drayton but now living in Chester, said having one consistent hourly rate made things clearer for drivers.
She said: "If it is the same amount then people know what to expect. Obviously I would prefer not to have to pay at all, but 50p is not a huge amount."
Christine Findlay uses the car parks for work, and she said: "If they are putting it up because they have the shops to draw people in then fair enough.
"But there aren't enough nice independent shops, it is lots of charity shops. If you want something nice then you have to go elsewhere. The Festival Drayton Centre is fantastic though."
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Nick Ainsworth lives in the town, and he said the 15-minute 'pop and shop' period with no charges was usually sufficient.
Market Drayton Town Councillor Roy Aldcroft added: "The new parking charges in Market Drayton have been a controversial subject for quite a while, but the council has to make a decision about how it's going to make its money.
"I think Shropshire Council has been as fair as it possibly can. I don't think we will ever go back to the days of free parking and people going around in circles looking for a space that comes with that.
"I think it's only fair the motorists, rather than the ratepayers, pay for the maintenance of the car parks.
