Controversial plans to introduce car parking charges across north Shropshire have been thrown out by councillors amid huge public outcry.
At a heated meeting last night, members of North Shropshire District Council voted against proposals to enforce parking charges in Whitchurch, Wem and Ellesmere.
Traders and residents had reacted angrily to the proposals, claiming they could kill the economy of the towns.
And in a shock move in front of a packed public gallery, councillors went against the recommendations of officers and decided not to introduce the charges in any of the towns.
Council leader David Minnery had proposed that a decision on the issue was delayed for six months to await the impact of the introduction of decriminalisation of on-street parking. But members agreed that it was in the public interest to make a decision yesterday.
Councillor Brian Williams said public consultation showed that 99 per cent of the people who responded were against the charges.
He said: “If we ignore the public in this area it will increase the people of north Shropshire’s cynicism in local government.”
Councillor Peggy Carson added: “I have been around all the shops in Wem and they were unanimously against the charges.”
After the vote, portfolio holder Councillor Fred Udale warned it was not the end of the matter, as councillors would still have to find a way to pay to maintain and upgrade the district council’s car parks.
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