Parking limit idea to free up Newport spaces

A two-hour time limit could be introduced on part of Newport's biggest car park in an attempt to increase the turnover of traffic.

Newport Town Council wants to see limits introduced on about 20 per cent of the spaces at Stafford Street car park in the town centre.

Councillors believe that the new rules would prevent people from parking all day at the car park and would increase the number of shoppers visiting High Street.

The car park has about 150 spaces but it is usually full by early morning.

Town mayor Councillor Tony Forrester said: "A similar thing was done at a car park in Wellington recently, so we wanted to see how that went first.

"It has been fairly successful. They have found that it has increased the number of people shopping in the town centre."

The council believes that people are put off from visiting Newport as parking can be difficult.

Councillor Forrester hit out at business owners taking up the parking spaces themselves.

He added: "It really annoys me. We have to do something. There's people parked on the High Street all day long and then people wonder why no-one is shopping there. It's plain daft."

The idea will be discussed at a meeting of the council's community safety committee at the Guildhall tomorrow at 7pm.

The initial proposal to be put to the committee is for about 25 spaces nearest to the shops to be limited to two hours.

Telford & Wrekin Council, which owns the car park, has told the town council that a study of parking patterns should be carried out.

Newport town clerk Lee Jakeman said: "Initial responses from Telford & Wrekin Council officers suggested that any firm decision or feasibility study be conducted after a review of parking patterns as a result of the High Street regeneration."