Parking charge hike would be 'final nail in the coffin' for Ludlow say worried traders

Business owners in Ludlow believe proposed parking hikes will have a huge impact in the town and could be "the final nail in the coffin".

Shropshire Council is due to open a consultation into its plans, which will affect parking charges across the county.

If the proposals are approved, on-street fees in the band two 'red zone' areas of Ludlow will rise from £2.80 an hour to £3.80.

At the Castle Street car park (band three), the tariff could go up 60p an hour to £2. It could also mean that operating hours will be extended from 6pm to 8pm.

Jane Vaughan, who runs The Queens pub in Lower Galdeford, said the changes would hit the night-time economy hard.

"We haven't got on-site parking, so we rely on the car parks for our guests to stay," she said.

"It's detrimental yet again and another council way of pushing people out of the town centre. The council and the Government are all for regenerating the high street, but this is another nail in the coffin."

Monika Curry, who owns department store Bodenhams, said she cannot understand why parking tariffs in the town are so high.

"What is the logic behind it?" she asked.

"Is it the footfall? I have asked what sort of studies have been done to support the increase and if they have the data.

"It's not just about parking, it's about accessibility to the town for people who have to use cars.

"People still use Ludlow as a market town, but the local people are being outpriced in using their own market town.

"So will they just go to Marks & Spencer and park for free?

"There are no alternatives. People can't bike from the little villages.

"We all want our planet to be cleaner but unless there's alternatives found, you can't just outprice people from using the car. That's not a solution."

Matt Smout from Number 9, a gelato, crepe and waffle shop in High Street, said everyone is struggling at the moment.

"I was speaking to a DPD driver and he will have to leave as a self-employed [worker] because he's put £700 in his van in one week," said Mr Smout.

Ludlow Town Council (LTC) members Darren Childs and Pete Addis feel so enraged about the proposals they have put forward a motion of no confidence in Shropshire Council.

Councillor Childs also wants the town council to formally terminate a memorandum of understanding agreement with the unitary authority, a non-legally binding agreement to establish a framework for collaborative working and explore service devolution.

Both motions will be considered at an LTC meeting on Monday (October 26).

Jodie Deakin, the secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Trade, said members are being asked what they think about the motions.

"The committee's feeling at the moment is we always strive to work closely with all bodies and I think we're dealing with a lot of information that's coming from third parties," said Ms Deakin, who runs Eclectica of Ludlow, a fashion shop in Mill Street.

"That I why I think this consultation will be incredibly important.

"If the money was ring-fenced and it was like 'you're paying a pound more an hour for x, y and z', I think most people would be amenable to that.

"So if we have to pay more to park in the [town] centre and that money went to improve the park and ride, I think there will be a win-win there.

"We thrive and survive due to the day-to-day support of our regulars. The locals are very proud of their independent high street and their town and they make sure to shop in it. So we have to make sure that it remains accessible and amenable to them.

"We are bucking the trend nationally, but that doesn't mean we have to support the rest of the county. We have some of the highest business rates and are proportional to larger premises in Shrewsbury."

Chamber chair Ian Evans, who runs Broad Bean Delicatessen in Broad Street, added: "I would like Shropshire Council to liaise with us more, have the conversations and open dialogue.

"We represent over 100 businesses in Ludlow, so we do have a good understanding of what the town is doing. Don't just make things up and expect us to go along with it, because we are being squeezed in all directions and will be pushing back."

Councillor Rob Wilson, cabinet member for transport and regeneration at Shropshire Council, reiterated that the proposals are subject to a public consultation and the 'blue zone' on-street parking tariffs will reduce by 20p an hour. The car parks in Galdeford A, Galdeford B and Smithfield will also remain at the current price, while parking at the Eco Park will remain free.

Councillor Wilson said: “The proposals are intended to improve the availability and turnover of the most centrally located parking spaces; encourage longer-stay users to use less central and lower-cost parking; support greater use of public transport, park and ride, walking and cycling where practical alternatives are available; provide a clearer relationship between the location, demand and tariff applying to each parking place; and support the council’s wider transport and parking strategy.

“Where additional revenue is generated, it is directly reinvested into maintenance and improvements to our transport services, and to support local road improvements, across the county, including in Ludlow.

“In Ludlow, the centrally located spaces require sufficient turnover to support access to businesses and services. However, this must be balanced against Ludlow’s historic character, steep inclines, demographic profile and the importance of accessible parking to residents and visitors.

"The higher parking bands predominantly apply in Shrewsbury, where a wider range of public transport and other travel options is available.”