Parking bosses who have dished out fines to Ellesmere shoppers and traders for parking illegally have met with residents about the new regulations being enforced.

Some Ellesmere shoppers are unhappy they have been fined for parking in areas of the town where they have stopped for decades and have vented their frustration to traffic wardens.

Residents have historically parked in loading bays outside town shops but now they are being hit with fixed penalties from ParkRight enforcers.

The wardens hit the streets across the county from November cracking down on illegally parked vehicles.

Previously town traders put out A-boards if they were expecting deliveries but if none were in place residents would park up for short periods.

However, after the new parking regulations came in the bays were made off limits unless residents and commercial vehicles were dropping off large items.

The controversial issue was raised at Ellesmere’s annual town meeting last night and residents received a presentation from ParkRight and county council chiefs.

Ellesmere town Councillor Ian Ward said he was disgruntled and the town’s parking needs were much different to somewhere like Shrewsbury and this needed consideration. But the wardens said they were keen that motorists were up-to-date about the rules.

A ParkRight spokesman said: “No-one likes receiving parking tickets but it’s only been three or four months and businesses are starting to see the benefits.

“Hopefully in time a lot of people will come to appreciate the benefits it has brought. You will never get people with the same views about the waiting restrictions they want.”

By Oliver Cartwright