Parking 'nightmare' at Market Drayton Swimming Pool

Users of Market Drayton Swimming Pool have said it can be a 'nightmare' trying to find anywhere to park due to people using the free car park for shopping trips into town and to park for work.

Resident Stuart Farnell said a lot of people use the swimming pool’s car park due to a lack of free parking within Market Drayton.

Officials from Shropshire Council said they are aware the car park is 'well used' and they will continue to monitor the situation.

Tarnia Liesa said: "We struggle every Monday to park for lessons - to the point we are there 20 minutes early, waiting for people to vacate the spaces.

"Maybe if all those people paid to park in the town car park, we would all be moaning that we struggle to park in town during the week. It's not an easy conundrum to solve unfortunately."

Clare Jordan said: "We are there every night with the ever expanding swimming club and it is a nightmare to try and park."

Susie Edge added: "It never used to be bad but several times I've been unable to park and had to send the kids in by themselves, which I don't like doing for safety reasons, or miss parts of the lesson while I wait around for space.

"Tonight there were cars all over the grass and pavements, one had even parked blocking the bridge. I wonder how easy it would be for emergency services to get through if needed."

People have also said usually the first parking bay at the entrance to the car park is commonly occupied by in town workers.

Another resident said: "Usually the first parking bay as you enter the swimming pool car park is commonly occupied by in town workers.

"Parking has further been compromised by the works on the skate park.

"It was further exasperated by the cordoning off of the parking bay closest to the swimming baths, this caused horrendous issues with the parking.

"A close friend has actually cancelled her son's lessons partly due to the horrendous parking issues, and to be fair the thought has also crossed my mind on occasions when forced to park on grass verges.

"On my last visit to the swimming baths on Tuesday this week the parking seemed much better but I had turned up 20 minutes earlier than the lesson time to negate any parking issues.

"It cannot continue and something must be done."

Zoe Mortimer, Shropshire Council’s engineering and contracts manager in the parking team, said: “Shropshire Council is aware that this car park is being well used, and we have received a few reports previously.

"The parking services team and leisure services team will continue to monitor the situation and the feedback, and work with partners.”