Council considering changes to parking charges

Shropshire Council wants to encourage drivers to park cars outside Shrewsbury town centre

Changes could be made to planned parking charge increases in Shrewsbury, following a 1,000-signature petition.

Shropshire Council announced in January it would be putting up the fees in its car parks, but traders in the town argued it would harm trade.

The Shrewsbury BID group, which represents businesses, estimated it could lead to a drop of £7m in consumer spending, and a drop off of 250,000 in footfall.

Dan Morris, the councillor responsible for parking, said: "Some changes are being looked at and will be presented to cabinet for consideration at its April meeting."

Darren Tomkins, a market hall trader and a director of Shrewsbury’s BID, said the increase "would be hugely challenging for the town’s businesses, who are operating on incredibly tight or zero margins after a period of high inflation and a high cost of living".

He also said Shrewsbury's public transport system would not be able to compensate for the reduction in the number of people driving into town.

"Many businesses are seriously considering their future in the town centre," he said.

Shropshire Council wants to increase charges to encourage drivers to park cars outside Shrewsbury's river loop and walk, cycle or use public transport to get into town.

But Mr Morris said the local authority was looking hard into finding ways to amend the proposals.

He also agreed improvements needed to be made to the Park and Ride service and said the council would reply in writing to Shrewsbury BID.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.