Workers and businesses hit out as cost of all-day parking doubles in Oswestry
Season ticket prices at council-run car parks in Oswestry have doubled as parking charges rise across the county.
Price changes which came into force in the market town this week include all-day parking in Oak Street and Oswald Road, popular with workers, rising from £1 to £2.40 and season tickets jumping from £43 a quarter to £90 a quarter.
Residents and business owners in the town have today criticised the move, saying it will have a negative impact on traders and workers.
Ellesmere and Wem car parking charges have also risen to 30p an hour and £2.40 for the day.
In all three towns weekly tickets are available for £10.
Similar changes have already been introduced in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock and Church Stretton and will be rolled out in Market Drayton, Whitchurch and Prees Heath on February 11.
Shropshire Council says the new parking strategy offer a wide range of benefits to people parking in the three towns and will make things clearer and simpler.
Marie Jennings said she lives in Oswestry and has no on or off street parking.
“I have to park in one of the car parks and use the Oswald Road park. The cost was £43 for three months and now its £90,” she said.
“All three car parks have gone up from £1 for the day to £2.40. We are trying to save the town centre, but this is going to put people off shopping here and is not fair on those who work in the town.”
Another local driver, Rachel Roberts, said Oak Street car park needed investment.
"We will be paying more than double for a car park with no lighting, no security cameras and a high level of anti social behaviour and vandalism," she said.
Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Our new parking strategy is designed to make parking charges clearer and simpler, and to deliver a wide range of other improvements.”
“The new parking charges and arrangements agreed last autumn have already been successfully introduced in Shrewsbury and Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock and Church Stretton.
"The new arrangements offer a wide range of benefits to users of our car parks, and a number of improvements on the current arrangements, including a variety of free and cheap parking, and parking charges that are easier to understand – together with a wider range of payment methods.”
A number of new residents’ permits have also been introduced costing £448 per year at Beatrice Street and £192 at Oak Street and Oswald Road.
Car parking is free from 6pm-8am and all day on Sundays.
