10/10/2012 - Permalink

Cabinet to review car parking tariffs and charging structure

Related topics: Community

A variety of proposed changes to car park charges are to be considered by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet next week (Wednesday 17 October 2012) following a consultation with town and parish councils, local councillors and stakeholders about car parking across the county. 

This consultation, which closed on 10 September 2012, followed a recent review of car parking charges.  It was designed to take on board comments received by the council over the past year, since the introduction of the new car parking strategy in April 2011. 

The changes, which include proposals to revise charging bands and introduce free parking on Sundays in some car parks, were discussed by the council’s Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee on Monday 17 September 2012. 

After extensive debate, the committee agreed to support the recommendations set out in the report, as well as asking officers to look into the possibility of issuing vouchers for visitors when considering residents’ parking schemes in the future.  Also, consider moving Wem into a different group for charges. 

These additional recommendations will be considered by Cabinet alongside the main proposals, which include: 

Car parks (in Whitchurch, Wem, Market Drayton, Much Wenlock and Ellesmere) which currently have charging bands of 10p or free for 0-2 hours and £1.80 for 2-10 hours proposed to change to: 

  • 10p for 0-2 hours
  • 50p for 2-4 hours
  • £1.00 for 4-6 hours
  • £1.80 for up to 10 hours  

Sunday parking proposed to be free in the following towns: 

  • Market Drayton
  • Whitchurch
  • Ellesmere
  • Wem
  • Church Stretton
  • Much Wenlock  

Introduce lower charges on Sundays in Shrewsbury, Oswestry. Bridgnorth and Ludlow.  It is proposed that these lower charges will be based on half the week day tariffs. 

Introduce Sunday on-street parking charges in Ludlow and Shrewsbury. 

Introduce free parking in all car parks on Bank Holidays and public holidays, with the exception of Raven Meadows Multi-Storey which will be charged at the revised Sunday rate. 

It is also proposed to update ticket machines so they will be able to accept new 10p coins and new £1 coins when they come into circulation. 

In addition to this, consideration is also being given to the reintroduction of Sunday bus services in Shrewsbury.  It is proposed that income from the introduction of on-street parking charges in Shrewsbury on Sunday will assist in funding these services for an extended trial period.  Subject to Council approval, it is hoped the new services will start operating early in the New Year. 

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for transport, said: 

“A lot of work has gone into this review and consultation, and I hope it serves to alleviate some of the concerns that came about following the introduction of the parking strategy last year.  The proposed new charging bands for many market town car parks mean that people will be able to park for up to four hours for just 50p, which seems pretty reasonable to me.  I hope businesses and residents will appreciate that we are doing all we can to ensure shoppers are still able to visit their town centres without being put off by parking charges. 

“We are working to find a way to bring back Sunday bus services in Shrewsbury, which will give local people and visitors an alternative way of getting into the town.” 

For more information, people can read the report here.