Fees 'emptying' Market Drayton car park

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.