Cabinet agree to new Sunday on-street parking charges in 2013

Councillors have agreed to introduce new on-street parking charges in Ludlow and Shrewsbury in 2013 to reduce congestion and encourage drivers to use car parks.

As part of the changes, Sunday parking fees in off-street car parks are now half the cost of weekdays, and are now free on bank and public holidays.  There is also a special offer on the Park and Ride service in Ludlow until Christmas Eve, with a return ticket costing 50p.

The Shrewsbury Park and Ride service is £1 return until Christmas Eve. There is more detail about other parking offers here.

 The report agreed by Cabinet on Wednesday 19 December 2012 contained the following details:

• Introduce on-street parking charges in Shrewsbury and Ludlow on Sundays, at the same rate as Monday to Saturday.

• Alter the times of operation of the pay and display bays from 8.30am to 6pm, to 8am to 6pm, in Shrewsbury.

• Alter the days of the loading bays in Shrewsbury from Monday to Saturday, to Monday to Sunday.

• Alter the times and days of operation of the single yellow lines in Shrewsbury from Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm, to Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm.

• Consider the introduction of parking restrictions in areas of Shrewsbury that may be affected by possible deplacement of cars from the town centre.

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

“The aim of the council’s car parking policy is to help ensure that longer-stay vehicles are concentrated in the car parks, rather than the on-street spaces, to help remove congestion, and allow a greater number of people easier access to the town centre services and facilities.

“This isn’t currently being achieved in Shrewsbury and Ludlow on Sundays, and this is something which the introduction of Sunday on-street parking charges aims to address, as well as providing additional funds that can be put towards our public transport services.”

The introduction of Sunday on-street parking charges in Shrewsbury and Ludlow will cost around £6,000, but will increase the level of income by around £30,000 each year.

Income from on-street parking is put towards providing the Park and Ride bus services in the two towns, with any surplus used to subsidise local bus services.

The new charges will come into effect on Sunday 20 January 2013.