Shrewsbury parking: Drivers 'fighting for spaces in Castlefields'
Motorists are fighting for parking spaces in an area of Shrewsbury, with demand outstripping supply, it has been claimed.
The leader of Shrewsbury Town Council will now sit down with officers from Shropshire Council to discuss the issue with officers.
Added to their frustration is concern that there have been a number of occasions when emergency vehicles have not been able to make their way through the narrow congested streets in Castlefields.
Now the issue is to be raised by Councillor Alan Mosley, Labour leader of the town council. Many living in the area are in favour of a residents-only parking scheme although this may be difficult to police.
Councillor Mosley said: "There is a lot of debate about a residents-only parking scheme for our area, particularly in the wake of the Dana prison application and complaints about anti-social parking.
"I have a meeting with senior council officers organised for today when I will explore options and the likely implications."
He added that the joint owner and potential developer of the Dana Prison Trevor Osborne had been in touch.
Councillor Mosley added: "I have challenged him to be clearer about what he was offering in his application regarding finance for any ROPS.
"Once I have accumulated all available information I intend to organise a public meeting at which all residents will have the opportunity of hearing about options, pros and cons and have their say."
But Councillor Mosley pointed out there were some drawbacks to any ROPS.
These included the cost and implementation. He added that a referendum of residents would have to be carried out and there would be on-going costs regarding administration, surveillance and enforcement.
"Enforcement would be substantial so that all residents wishing to have a pass will be charged with additional fees for extra vehicles, guests, visitors, builders and carers," he added.
"No scheme guarantees a space just the potential to park somewhere in the designated area. it is unlikely that this could be on a street by street basis.
"Due to the displacement of parking the area for the ROPS will have to be very large for example the whole of 'old' Castlefields and non-council land will not be covered such as Severnside's and the Spar car park.
"The existing council scheme would remove a large number of currently appropriate spaces from the streets.
"In this respect it is worth having a walk round late at night when the streets are absolutely full of residents and guest and visitors cars - there are currently not enough spaces for those who live here."
