MP told to move charges box

Saturday 31st March 2007, 11:12PM BST

Daniel KawczynskiShrewsbury’s MP has been ordered to remove his “ballot box” on congestion charging from the borough council offices, it was revealed today.

Daniel Kawczynski has distributed the boxes across Shrewsbury.

One has been placed at The Guildhall.

He is hoping to get people to ‘vote’ against road pricing in the town centre.

But Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council chief executive Robin Hooper today said he had asked the Conservative MP to remove the box from the council offices.

He said the authority needed to remain impartial in the run-up to local council elections which will be held in May.

Mr Hooper said: “We felt with an election coming up we need to be seen to be whiter than white.

“There is no real issue and if anyone sends their cards in we will still pass them on to Daniel’s office.”

Mr Kawczynski said the matter was being dealt with by staff from his constituency office who had previously been given the go-ahead by the council to put the box in the Guildhall reception.

However, he said if Mr Hooper had asked for it to be removed he would not object.

Mr Kawczynski has spoken publicly of his opposition to suggestions motorists could face a congestion charge to reduce traffic in Shrewsbury town centre.

The MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham is also holding an online petition on his website against the introduction of new road pricing schemes to the town.

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3 Comments

  1. Kavan said: Apr 1st, 2007 at 08:43

    Instead of trying to appear whiter than white, the council should back Mr Kawczynski, if this madness goes ahead Shrewsbury will die. The choice will be, pay to drive into Shrewsbury , then pay to park, or drive to Telford and just pay to park. I know which I’d do.

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  2. John said: Apr 2nd, 2007 at 12:16

    I think Mr Kawczynski should be applauded for having the ballot box in the council office. He seems to be one of the few who actually believes in all that Shrewsbury has to offer and is not afraid to say it. Congestion charges stink, and they will destroy the town. Well done to him.

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  3. Fleur said: Apr 16th, 2007 at 10:02

    With Shrewsbury being such a rural town with limited public transport from villages in the area this has to be maddest thing I have heard. Go for it Mr Kawczynski – you have my backing

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