South Shropshire MP calls for 90 minutes of free parking to be mandated across all town centres

The MP for south Shropshire is backing a major national campaign that is calling for there to be 90 minutes’ worth of free parking in all town centres.

The Conservative MP Stuart Anderson has said that he “hopes everyone will sign the petition” to get 90 minutes' free parking mandated in town centres like in south Shropshire.

He believes the move “could make a real difference” to businesses.

The campaign, which is titled 90 Minutes for Britain’s High Streets, was launched by Spring and Autumn Fair, an event organiser.

It was set up following research by its Voices of Retail programme, which was developed in partnership with Faire, an online wholesale marketplace.

Following research, 38 per cent of retailers said free parking would benefit their trade.

Meanwhile, 63 per cent of consumers said free parking would encourage them to visit town and city centres more often.

Mr Anderson’s own Shop Local Survey received nearly 4,500 responses from residents and business owners, including over 1,200 from Bridgnorth and Ludlow and over 200 businesses.

Nearly 50% said parking arrangements discourage them from the high street.

Since then, Mr Anderson has been campaigning for free parking on south Shropshire high streets.

Mr Anderson said: “Retailers and shoppers have independently reached the same conclusion: 90 minutes’ free parking strikes the right balance.

“It gives people time to browse, visit several businesses, stop for a coffee, and properly support their high street, rather than making a single rushed purchase.

“It is not a silver bullet for all the challenges facing our high streets, but a practical step that could make a real difference.

“So, I hope everyone will sign the petition on the UK Parliament website that calls on the government to introduce a law requiring all local authorities in England to provide at least 90 minutes’ free parking in town and city centres.”

The campaign is aiming to reach 100,000 signatures by 23rd January 2027, the threshold at which a petition is considered for debate in Parliament.

The petition, which has gained more than five thousand signatures in less than a month, can be found at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/772686.