Study on car charge bid

A major investigation into Shrewsbury's proposed congestion charging zones around the town centre is set to be launched later this month, road chiefs have revealed today.

The road pricing scheme will be at the centre of a major transport study undertaken by Shropshire County Council.

Officials will launch an investigation in several weeks looking at how residents travel through the town and their opinion on road tolls.

Yesterday the borough council announced its designs for a charge zone around the town centre.

Proposals put forward by the chief executive Robin Hooper suggested pay points at Mardol Quay, Town Walls and Castle Gates, for anyone driving past car parks into the heart of Shrewsbury.

He said the charges were part of a plan to increase the number of pedestrianised areas in the town, reduce traffic flow and improve air quality.

The plans were revealed as part of a vision for the future in which new car parks, an electric hopper bus and a new one-way system were suggested.

The county council member for transport John Everall said drivers questioned so far had not opposed the idea.

County councillor Alan Moseley will chair a group looking at traffic developments for Shrewsbury. But he criticised the borough council for "headline grabbing" schemes.

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