Fees ‘emptying’ Market Drayton car park
Wednesday 6th April 2011, 7:34PM BST.
A north Shropshire car park has been “virtually empty” since the introduction of controversial new charges, it was claimed today.
Towers Lawn car park in Market Drayton has seen fewer vehicles parked on it since charges of up to £1.80 a day were brought in at the start of the month.
Councillor Roy Aldcroft, former mayor of Market Drayton, today warned the charges, introduced by Shropshire Council, were at risk of keeping shoppers away from the town centre.
He said: “Towers Lawn car park has been virtually empty since Friday when the charges came in.
“I think it’s going to take people quite a long time to get used to the idea of paying to park on there.
“Many people don’t seem to realise they can park free for the first hour and only have to pay 10p for up to two hours. I don’t think that was very well publicised so it’s important people know they can pop in and park free for one hour otherwise businesses could be affected.
“I think there has been some confusion among residents because pay and display charges have been brought in on what was, until recently, a free car park,” he added.
Shropshire Council has also introduced car park charges in Wem and Market Drayton.
Ellesmere has won a one-month reprieve while officials set up residents’ parking schemes.
The new charges have been suspended in Whitchurch for an unspecified period until a new car park opens in Mill Street to boost capacity.
UK News
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
They have it good over in market drayton , the parking charges for shrewsbury are now £1.50 for the first hour and £3.50 for 2-3 hours, we literally raced back from town today so we didnt have to pay £2 more if we went over the first hour!!
Report abuse
I have lived in Market Drayton for 23 years and have tried to shop locally to support local business. Sadly carparks have become a big cash cow for councils and 40p here and 50p there soon adds up in a month.
Last week I attended Traffex at the NEC where the highest number of exhibitors were parking operators and ticket machine manufacturers with huge stands and lots of staff and loads of grace and favour…..Funny That!
Report abuse
I got to Newcastle or Crewe now , its far better . Its the best thing Shropshire Council have ever done thanks .
Report abuse
Oswestry main Car Park £2 PER 4 HRS,Still full.its the future,when will it be £3?
Report abuse
Is that not the point?
Report abuse