Parking enforcement across Shropshire could be changed amid fears wardens are contributing to a downturn in trade.
Dozens of traders in Shrewsbury have hit out at the wardens.
They spoke of their concerns about problems which they claimed are being caused by ParkRight, the county-wide group which enforces parking regulations.
About 60 traders took part in a survey carried out by Shrewsbury Business Chamber, which was presented to Shropshire County Council this week.
The survey will be used as part of a county-wide review being carried out by the county council and all councils which are partners in the scheme, including North Shropshire District Council.Chamber chairman Simon Airey said: “The feedback from the survey showed a lot of people have felt a downturn in trade.
“Obviously there have been lots of different factors, not least that we are in a recession, but they feel it is a contributory factor.
“There’s a feeling ParkRight’s general operating strategy is there’s no discretion and they are very heavy handed.”
Philip Freeman, a former chairman of the chamber, said concerns related to customers being targeted by ParkRight wardens and businesses loading and unloading.
County council assistant director for transport and highways Phil Crossland said: “It is very useful information because there is a review of ParkRight ongoing at the moment and the information will be fed into this.”
12 Comments
Its disgusting that Parkright officials should stop people parking in dangerous, illegal and inappropriate places.
So they needed a survey to tell them this? My husband is a delivery driver. He got a ticket while he was parked correctly in a loading bay, delivering to a charity shop across the road from his van (which had the charity shop logo on it’s side.) The van doors were wide open, so it was obvious that he hadn’t gone shopping, and they still thought he was illegally parked! They need their eyes testing, even better they need sending back under the stones which they crawled out from.
Chairman Meow is obviously sticking up for her husband but doesn’t know the facts i’m sure. I think the wardens do a great job. As a delivery driver myself I found that the wardens were helpful and i always get a space in a loading bay. I never used to be able to!!! Some delivery drivers do take advantage and have a cuppa and a chat while other drivers are waiting to get in the bay!! Without the wardens the town would be a disaster and I hope the counsellors see sense and realise how valuable these people are!
Joe is obviously sticking up for his friends the traffic wardens, just wait until one of the more ‘eager’ ones sticks a ticket on his van when he’s in a shop making a delivery. To imply that my husband was having a cuppa and a chat is downright insulting. He works very hard and doesn’t take advantage. These people are not valuable, the council don’t even cover the cost of paying them, what with the extra administration costs they have to deal with now. So who do you think pays for them? Us the council tax payers.
the fact is that all towns require traffic control or the roads would end up in chaos and these rules are set by the councils. The wardens are simply enforcing these laws set down and they must do so in a consistant manner. I would have to point out that having witnessed the incident it is obviously more than a coincidence that your husband overstayed, blocking a loading bay around the same time as you, his wife showed up to clearly meet her husband. I would advise all delivery drivers to park correctly before they meet their wives for lunch
how do you know it was his wife he met?
We received a parking ticket 2 weeks ago when we dropped off our disabled son to meet carers. We did not display the disabled badge, which was wrong on our part, but when we got back to the car 5 minutes later there was a ticket ! We have payed up, but on reflection, reading the parking ticket it states that the tax disc was ‘obscured’. This is a blatent lie! It is clearly displayed - reading ‘DISABLED’
nonesense - park right do a good job and help businesses by keeping the town congestion free
lay off the traffic warden, they are public servants helping us all
trafic wardens are valuable public servants
silly - the town would grind to a hold without the boys in blue to keep order and regualate peopls parking, get over it and use the park and ride if its such a major issue for you!!
Yes, how do you know it was his wife he met? (see comment#6) Do you know the person(s) involved by any chance?