Parking charges are set to rise across Shropshire under sweeping plans to boost council coffers by more than £400,000.

Many of the increases for short stay parking will range from 10p to 20p with some all-day tariffs rising by 40p and 60p. The new charges are being introduced across all five of Shropshire’s former districts and boroughs by Shropshire Council on April 1.

The plans do not include Telford & Wrekin.

James Walton, the unitary council’s assistant director for strategy and business support, said the proposal to increase charges, both on-street and off-street, was considered as part of its wider budget review.

“This review, which has been extensively consulted upon since October 2009, includes a saving proposal of £412,000 from increased parking charges,” he said.

“The majority of pay and display charges would see an increase of as little as 10p or 20p. The largest single increases proposed are generally 50p to 60p which relate to all day charges.

“Longer stay car park permit charges have been standardised, and the increase for annual permits has been no higher than 15 per cent with some permits actually seeing a reduction in cost.

“As well as easing the pressure on the council’s budget, these changes will help to standardise our approach to parking charges across the county.”

The increases are not expected to have too great an impact on trade and it was generally accepted that rises were on the way.

But council bosses are being urged to change the payment system to encourage visitors and shoppers.

Peter Bettis, spokesman for the Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said: “People should be able to pay on exit rather than on arrival, and we would like the authority to consider making such a change. It would mean that people haven’t got to plan their visit to the second.

“They can enjoy the town and those they meet and it would give them the chance to relax and shop without having to rush back in a panic to the car.”

Not all car parks are now run by the unitary council and in Oswestry the town council, which owns the main central car park, has decided to freeze charges for the coming year.

TARIFFS ACROSS THE COUNTY

Key details of the parking charges include:

• Shrewsbury’s Frankwell car park – All-day parking will rise from £3 to £3.50. The one-hour tariff there will increase from £1 to £1.10.

• Market Drayton – Three-hour parking in both the Frogmore Road and Queens Street car parks will rise from 90p to £1.20.

• Bridgnorth – Parking in Sainsbury’s car park for up to four hours will jump from £5 to £5.50.

• Ludlow – A four-hour ticket for the Castle Street car park will rise from £2 to £2.20, while an all-day ticket in the Smithfield car park will go from £1.50 to £1.80.

• Oswestry – Parking in Festival Square for up to three hours will rise from £4.30 to £4.50, but will stay at £6 for up to four hours.

• Craven Arms – All parking charges for Corvedale Road have been scrapped and parking will be free.

By Dave Morris