Furious Bridgnorth rowers demand talks over parking fees

The club has been embroiled in a 30-month right of access dispute with council.

Members and visitors say they are being unfairly charged by parking meters in Severn Park. The club wants all members and visitors to be able to pass unhindered through the park to the clubhouse.

Talks had progressed in recent weeks and Creative Car Parks, which runs the metres, had offered to provide a touch screen machine in the rowing club at a cost of £1,250. This would allow club members to enter registration numbers and be exempted from the parking charges.

A charge of £120 per month would have given electronic permits to members and visitors. The council was advised to pay for the touch screen and to a make contribution of £50 per month towards the running cost, while the club paid the remaining £70. But during a recent town council meeting councillors threw out all of the new suggestions.

Club President David Williams said: "The club is not making parking demands it is requesting the town council removes obstacles to the right of access to its own land.

"The town council has confirmed in writing to the club it does have a right of access across Severn Park. The council created this problem when they entered into a contract with the parking company without considering the right of the club to cross the park to its own land. Over the past 30 months the club has tried its best to come to an agreement with the council, to enable the council to meet its obligation."

Town clerk Anne Wilson said: "I have suggested the chairs of the various committees, myself and the rowing club sit down and talk further."