Shropshire Star

Delight as Oswestry car parking fees frozen

Traders have welcomed a decision by Oswestry Town Council to freeze fees at the car parks it runs in the town.

Published
Oswestry's Central Car Park

The decision was made after the town's mayor warned the council would have been "lambasted" if it had increased the fees.

The town's Central, Smithfield and Horsemarket car parks are owned by the town council and at a meeting on Monday night councillors voted that there should be no increase in the amounts charged per hour for the next 12 months.

It had been suggested that the hourly charge should rise from 50p to 60p on all three car parks, generating extra revenue for the council.

The rise would have raised a prospective extra £34,658.

Chair of the council's finance and general purposes committee Councillor Chris Schofield said on Monday night: "I do not think it is the right time to play with car parking charges."

Mayor Vince Hunt added: "I cannot support a rise in parking charges. We would be lambasted by some traders if we did."

The parking freeze has been welcomed by traders.

The entrance to Oswestry's Central Car Park. Photo: Google StreetView.

Wendy Hughes from the Flower Gallery in Bailey Street said: "I'm glad they've decided not to up the charges because paying for car parking is always something people complain about.

"I know it's only 10p but it would affect trade. Any increase would hit us.

"Not only would if affect shoppers but the traders as well who have to pay for parking every day too."

Mark Derham from Oswestry Chamber of Commerce: "I think that a move like this can only be a good thing.

"Hopefully it will help more people come into the town and boost trading.

"It isn't just Oswestry that is suffering, it is a nationwide problem with high streets and trading, but moves like this, anything like this, can only help."

The move comes as Shropshire Council agreed its new car parking strategy, including the fees it charges for car parks it owns in Oswestry. See - New charges at Shropshire Council's car parks - what you'll pay