Three Shropshire towns to start £250,000 car club

A £250,000 car club will be set up in three Shropshire towns this year in an effort to cut congestion and parking problems.

Under the plans, a fleet of cars would be bought for clubs to be set up in Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Bishop's Castle.

Residents will then pay a sign-up fee which will then allow them to borrow a car with as little as an hour's notice and pay for the journey they make.

Shropshire Council, which is behind the plan with the transport charity Carplus, said it was aimed at people who drive fewer than 6,000 miles a year and will help solve parking problems in town centre hotspots.

If the three clubs are a success the scheme will be rolled out across the county.

Start dates have yet to be agreed. But Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: "This is a fantastic innovative scheme which I'm sure will get a lot of support.

"It is hoped car clubs will solve parking and congestion issues, as well as allowing people to have access to a car without the high costs associated with individual car ownership."

Funding for the scheme has come from the Government, but the council says it will eventually pay for itself through user charges.

Each Shropshire club will start with at least two cars.

Supporters say it could save members £3,500 a year in car ownership charges.

A public meeting to discuss the Shrewsbury Car Club and where to set it up will take place on May 28, from 7pm at Coleham Primary School, with meetings in Ludlow on May 17 and Bishop's Castle on May 26 to follow at venues to be announced shortly.

For details on the scheme go to www.shropshirecarclub.co.uk

By David Seadon