Civic leaders in north Shropshire have hit out at plans which could see residents forced to pay up to £50 a year to park outside their own homes.

It comes just weeks after controversial off-street car parking charges were introduced.

The scheme put forward by Shropshire Council has come under fire from the mayors of Market Drayton and Wem who claim it will “kill the high street”.

Residents could have to pay £50 a year to park outside their homes under proposals by unitary council chiefs who say it wants to ease parking congestion on selected residential streets.

The council said it recognised that the introduction of charges in town centre car parks could lead to people parking in some streets.

Councillor Mandy Meakin, mayor of Wem, said: “I am very angry. This will drive people away and kill the high street.

“I recognise residents will be guaranteed a place to park because at the moment shoppers don’t seem to be using the car parks since the charges were introduced and are instead parking on the streets.

“However, expecting people to pay to have the privilege of parking outside their homes is ridiculous.”

Mayor of Market Drayton, Councillor Roger Smith, said: “It is yet another burden and an additional cost that people will have to deal with and I sympathise for those who will be affected by it.

“Unfortunately it is a Shropshire Council decision and is out of the town council’s hands.”

In Ellesmere some streets will be included in a town centre residents’ zone making them eligible for a permit for the Cross Street/Talbot Street car park, while in Whitchurch details of the permits have yet to be confirmed.

Councillor Pat McLaughlin, mayor of Ellesmere, said: “A lot of residents in Ellesmere can’t park outside their homes so needed an alternative.

“The permits will allow them to use the car parks during the day.”

Shropshire Council said residents’ parking zones would be introduced later this year.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council cabinet member for transport, said he hoped people understood the need to bring in the charges.

By James Pugh