Outraged residents in south Shropshire are to protest against the introduction of new traffic wardens, which many have branded as unnecessary.

A bitter row has broken out between Bishop’s Castle Town Council and Parkright, the organisation that implements parking charges across the county.

Mayor Councillor Mrs Jane Carroll has accused the organisation’s wardens of being aggressive and intimidating

But Parkright boss Sandy Harper has hit back branding the civic leader a muck raker.

Now residents are set to join in the row by speaking out at a town council meeting in Bishop’s Castle on Tuesday.

Today Councillor Mrs Carroll said: “Many Bishop’s Castle businesses owners and residents have voiced concern about the appearance of ‘parking attendants’ on the streets of the town centre, following the decriminalisation of parking in Shropshire.

“Enforcement has highlighted the peculiarities of the single yellow lines at the top of town and the attendants’ attitude has sometimes caused upset.

“All the matters concerning the attendants and the police with regard to parking will be discussed by the Town Council at its meeting at the town hall on Tuesday at 8pm. I would urge anyone with views on this subject to attend the meeting.”

Local resident Laurie Stanley echoed Councillor Mrs Carroll’s views and said: “The mere idea of deploying traffic wardens in a town this small defies credulity.

“I wonder if anyone at the council can explain exactly why, and indeed, who decided to inflict the crass and unnecessary new parking regime on Bishop’s Castle.”

Mr Harper said people in the town were muck racking. He denied wardens were aggressive and said they were simply doing their job.

Councillor Mrs Heather Kidd, leader of South Shropshire District Council, said she was aware of problems in the town regarding the new wardens.

She said: “I have spoken to Councillor Mrs Carroll and am aware that there have been some difficulties. I hope that these are just teething troubles that can be resolved.”

Councillor Mrs Kidd added that she had requested a full investigation and a report from south Shropshire’s revenue boss, Mike Geary.

By Andy Richardson