Mother campaigns for parent and child spaces in Market Drayton

Emma Gledhill, of Market Drayton, has criticised the town for not having any of the specially allocated spaces in its main car parks.

More than 50 people have already signed her petition, and it will be discussed at tomorrow's town council meeting in the town hall, from 7.30pm.

Mrs Gledhill, whose daughters are Isabelle, three, and Rebecca, one, said she counted 33 disabled spaces but none marked parent and child when she went around the town's main car parks.

"As a mother it is so hard driving around trying to find a space big enough to get the kids out the car easily," she said.

The 32-year-old first raised her concerns at an annual town meeting in Market Drayton this year, and councillors said they would look into the matter.

Mrs Gledhill, who has since launched the petition, added: "I have got about 50 or 60 signatures. There were also about 30 or 40 comments made on the Drayton Crier Facebook page.

"People have been supportive and think it is a good idea.

"The petition got about two-and-a-half days of airing so getting that many signatures was pretty good.

"I think If I had longer I would have got a lot more.

"It is being discussed at Thursday's meeting so we shall see what happens next."

She added she was hoping to attend tomorrow's meeting.

Julie Jones, deputy town clerk at Market Drayton Town Council, said: "I think I had one email and then Emma came in and presented me with a list of names.

"Other town centres in north Shropshire do not offer dedicated car parking spaces for parents and there doesn't seem to be any problems.

"However, the town council is open to working with Shropshire Council to try and provide such spaces if residents feel strongly about this matter."

Market Drayton town councillors, Steve Glover and Roger Hughes, have both previously supported the idea.