Shropshire car club scheme to tackle traffic misery

Shropshire could get its first ever 'car club' in an innovative bid to end the misery of rush-hour gridlock by borrowing a pool car to make short journeys.

A number of groups are in talks about setting up a scheme in Shrewsbury.

It would be only the fourth of its kind in the Midlands.

Under the plans, drivers who only undertake relatively short journeys would be provided with use of a pool of cars.

Those behind the scheme claim it could save motorists £3,500 per year.

Council chiefs say the scheme, likely to be based around the town centre, could reduce parking and traffic congestion by removing the need for many families to have a second car.

It is currently run at three other Midlands locations, Birmingham, Stafford and Corby.

The project has been put forward by Shropshire Council as part of its sustainable transport package, and would be fully funded from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Club members would be able to access the cars on a self-serve basis. Smart technology in the cars would allow keyless access and measure the distance of the journey for billing purposes.

Councillor Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council, said: "It just seems like a really sensible idea, so we are in discussions and hope to know more by the end of January."