Parking charges will be introduced in Ellesmere
Thursday 22nd July 2010, 3:15PM BST.
Parking charges will be introduced for the first time in Ellesmere despite angry residents claiming it would become a ghost town, a meeting heard.
More than 60 residents spoke out over proposals to implement the charges in Ellesmere when they attended a public meeting last night.
Residents criticised the charges despite civic leaders insisting it was a special case and should not be included in a county-wide shake up of parking charges. Many said charges would lead to visitors staying away and businesses suffering.
Shropshire Council plans to introduce off-street fees in the town to provide a consistent approach across the county.
Under proposals free parking could be introduced in the town for half an hour, followed by charges for motorists of 40p an hour and £3 for the day. There are no plans to introduce on-street parking fees.
Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council portfolio holder for transport and strategic planning, said the charges would be introduced and a consultation, due to end on September 17, was under way to determine how they would be implemented.
He said: “Not enforcing parking charges is simply not an option as we have got £60 million worth of cuts to make and from what I have gathered about Ellesmere there is currently a problem with parking.”
Some residents acknowledged Ellesmere did have a problem with a lack of parking in the town, but said introducing car parking charges was the wrong solution.
Lincoln McMullan, chairman of Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are in danger of Ellesmere becoming a ghost town if charges are introduced.”
Brian Knight, Ellesmere town councillor, said: “We don’t want or need parking charges in the town. We need to keep people happy and look after our shops.”
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Parking should be enforced at the Mere, where tens of thousands of visitors come every year. You have to park in Ironbridge and other tourist areas, so why not alongside Ellesmere’s major attraction?
But insisting on parking charges in the town, will encourage folks to drive round to Tesco, park for free and get all their items there – what a shame.
Also, when will Whitchurch, Wem and Market Drayton get there parking charges – there are four market towns in North Shropshire!
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I agree with Zoe – this will simply push more people away from Ellesmere town centre and to the nearby Tesco. Very sad.
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