The softer approach Shropshire’s traffic wardens are now taking with drivers could lead to “parking chaos”, the county council is being warned.

Ludlow member Peter Corston is raising the concern in a formal motion to next Friday’s meeting of the authority. He is calling for the new unitary Shropshire Council to ensure that “appropriate” action is taken against drivers who flout the rules.

The number of wardens employed by ParkRight, which is responsible for parking enforcement, has been halved to 14.

And the service, which is a partnership between the county council and district and borough authorities, is also taking a more lenient approach with drivers and issuing more warnings rather than tickets.

There were complaints from many businesses across Shropshire, and members of the public, that the service was inflexible, bureaucratic and overzealous, and was damaging trade in Shrewsbury and many other market towns.

This prompted a review to look at ways of developing a service which was more customer focused and friendly.

But Councillor Corston says in the motion: “There is considerable concern that the cuts in car parking enforcement, both on and off street, will result in parking chaos throughout the country, and I move that the Shropshire Council ensures that appropriate enforcement is in action.”

A report from highways chief, Phil Crossland, says anecdotal evidence suggests that there has been a “significant reduction” in the number of comments and complaints about overzealous enforcement.

However, he adds: “There is no evidence to suggest that the reduction in enforcement has resulted in an increase in inappropriate parking causing either congestion or safety issues across the county.”

The revised service has focused on traffic management and traffic flows, improving access to shops, services and businesses, reducing traffic congestion and aiding public transport.

By Dave Morris