PARK-AND-Ride buses could be introduced in four areas of Shropshire in a bid to keep cars out of town centres.

Services could be run in Oswestry, Market Drayton, Whitchurch and Bridgnorth with on-street parking charges also being introduced to discourage visitors from using their cars.

Another key suggestion is to drop late-evening and night-time parking charges.

Park-and-ride buses already operate in Shrewsbury and Ludlow.

Shropshire Council’s cabinet yesterday agreed a draft strategy for consultation.

A report to members said: “As with Shrewsbury and Ludlow, the introduction of on-street charges will be linked with the provision of some form of park-and-ride facilities.

“This provides drivers with choice, particularly if commuting or long stay trips, and fits with the principle of prioritising town centre spaces for short stay, premium parking.”

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said there was no “one size fits all” plan as all towns were different, but if adopted the proposals would bring “fairness” to parking across Shropshire.

The report said that currently the period when charges applied on-street and in car parks varied from 8am through to 6pm or 8pm.

It says if there is a need to provide night-time parking, it could be argued that similar charging should apply as during the day. But at night the choice of alternative transport in some locations is more limited.

The report added: “Due to this lack of alternative transport and enforcement challenges, it is not proposed to introduce late-evening/ night-time charges.”

It is proposed to maintain or introduce standard tariff seven-day charges for off-street car parks but Sunday on-street charges would not be introduced.

On-street charges could be introduced in Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Market Drayton and Whitchurch, but not in Shifnal, Wem, Ellesmere, Broseley, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Much Wenlock, Bishop’s Castle and Prees.

The consultation will last until September.

By Dave Morris