Parking fees axed to help blast businesses
Thursday 18th February 2010, 12:04PM GMT.
The Welsh bridge in Shrewsbury is now open to traffic both ways after the gas explosion.
Charges are to be suspended at three car parks to help businesses still suffering in the wake of the Shrewsbury blast.
Shropshire Council is to suspend parking fees at the Bridge Street, St Austins and The Tannery car parks from tomorrow until March 31.
The decision followed discussions with Mardol traders during the scheduled roadworks in Smithfield Road and after the explosion on January 3.
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski said he had asked the council to offer free parking because of the time it was taking to fully reopen the junction at the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road.
He said: “Businesses in Mardol suffer horrendously from traffic restrictions. Free parking will encourage people to come in and support the shops.”
The call follows protests by Mardol traders last week over a fall in business following the explosion as roads around the area were closed for repairs.
Charges will be suspended between 8am and 11am every day at the three car parks.
Councillor David Roberts said: “We are working closely with the traders in this area and this is just one of the measures we are hoping to take forward to help them.”
Councillor Maxwell Winchester said: “Please take advantage of the free parking initiative and . . . support our traders.”
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I went over to Telford shopping today, but free parking will get me back to Shrewsbury.
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It is only for 3 hours between 8am and 11am daily, according to your report. We need more than that.
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What a half hearted attempt! 0800 to 1100 hrs.
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“Free parking will encourage people to come in and support the shops…isn’t this the same as saying that parking charges actually discourage people not to visit shops where parking charges are in place…and if so when is the council going to ensure that all parking is free of charge in order to help businesses generate money and boost the economy!After all why reintroduce the fees afterwards if people, will be discouraged again just on a smaller scale as there is only the hassle of paying not the additional hassle of the works. Further, does pay parking discourage people from going to hospitals when they really should, and when are those going to become free? Me thinks a can of worms just got opened with a statement like that.
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switched to telford when wednesday free parking ended at Frankwell, any other shopping done at supermarkets out of town.
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I went to town on Saturday at 8.30 and used the short stay car park. There were no signs saying free parking so I hoped the report was accurate and took a chance in not buying a ticket.
Nearly every other car had purchased a ticket.
The council need to advertise this much better.
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