'Good news’ as Market Drayton car parking fees set to be frozen in council shakeup, says Mayor

Market Drayton’s mayor has branded it “good news” that proposed hikes in car parking fees will not affect Market Drayton.

Shropshire Council has laid out how proposed car park tariff changes will affect different towns in the county.

Earlier this month a public consultation was launched as Shropshire Council plans to shake-up parking charges across the county.

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The council said the proposed measures will provide additional revenue which will be directly reinvested into maintenance and improvements to the council’s transport services.

However, the news has not been welcomed in a number of towns where parking fees are set to be hiked.

In Ludlow, hourly charges are proposed to rise from £2.80 to £3.80 - an increase of about 36%, with Sunday and bank holiday rates rising from 70p to £1.00 per hour.

In Bridgnorth, the plans may see one hour free parking removed, even at the local supermarket at night.

However, the Liberal Democrat administration at Shropshire Council said this week that their proposals will see a “freeze” in car park fees in Market Drayton.

They said there will be “no change” to the current 40 pence charge per hour in Towers Lane car park, which will also remain free after 6pm and on Sundays.

They added there will also be no change to the current 70 pence charge per hour at Queens Street and Frogmore car parks, which will also remain free on Sundays and after 6pm.

Mayor, councillor Tim Manton, branded it “good news for Market Drayton”.