Oswestry market trader furious to get parking ticket as he loads his van
An Oswestry market trader is furious after getting a parking ticket while loading up his van at the end of a day working on his stall.
Jason Edwards is the second trader to be booked by a traffic warden on Oswestry's outdoor market in the past month.
Mr Edwards and mayor Councillor Paul Milner said the situation was unbelievable.
Oswestry town council, which is working to attract more traders and shoppers to the stalls, said it will act quickly to sort the problems out and has asked for talks with Shropshire Council.
Mr Edwards said the A.C. Edwards stall had been selling fruit and veg on the Bailey Head for 60 years.
"We were loading up to go home on Wednesday when a traffic warden booked us for drawing the van into Bailey Street," he said.
"It was tipping down with rain and we were loading the second van when we realised we had been booked.
"It was unbelievable after a long hard day grafting on a market that is struggling."
"The traffic warden said 'I didn't know there was a market today' and I said we had been standing there every day for 60 years."
Mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Paul Milner said: "It is unbelievable. It's a pity common sense is not that common these days."
Town clerk, Mr David Preston, said the situation was frustrating.
"Jason and his family are long and valued market traders. The land is public highway with traffic orders to regulate its use.
"The Town Council has no highway powers and in the case of Oswestry the making and enforcement of traffic orders on the highway rest with Shropshire Council.
"We had a discussion with Shropshire Council a few weeks ago about taking some market activities into the street and resulting parking/unloading matters.
"We respect and recognise the job traffic wardens do but we have some common sense and help to assist retailers and market traders."
Meat producer Jamie Ward, had a ticket on his refrigerated vehicle was booked at the February artisan market.
