Shropshire parking charges plea up for discussion

Shropshire Council's cabinet voted in January to approve a new 'linear' approach to car park and on-street tariffs, with all parking areas in the county sorted into seven bands ranging from £2.50 per hour to free.

After the strategy was approved, the Liberal Democrat group called in the decision and it was considered by the council's place overview committee in February, but no changes were recommended.

A new call-in has now been made to the performance management scrutiny committee, which was meeting this afternoon to consider the group's concerns.

A key issue being discussed was the banding of Ludlow's Castle Street Car Park - set in band three at £1 per hour - along with the three car parks in Wem, which will rise from 10p per hour to 30p under the new strategy.

The call-in also asked the committee to recommend retaining the current free parking after 6pm at Castle Street, which is set to be extended to 8pm under the new strategy.

Damage

It said: "The evening economy in Ludlow is quiet, and the proposals are likely to damage it further. Parking congestion in the evening in Ludlow is not at levels that would warrant the proposed measures."

Further concerns included the planned rise in tradespersons' waivers from £10 to £20 for second and subsequent days, and slashing the 'pop and shop' limit from 15 minutes to five.

The call-in document said the council's suggestion that motorists use the statutory 10-minute observation period to top this up was "encouraging unlawful behaviour".

Liberal Democrat group leader Roger Evans said the call-in in February was considered by the wrong committee and he was more optimistic this time around.

He added: "Hopefully there will be more answers than were provided last time."