10/12/2012 - Permalink

Free parking in run-up to Christmas

Related topics: Community

If you’re shopping or celebrating in one of Shropshire’s market towns during December 2012, you may be able to park for free at certain times. 

Following Shropshire Council’s parking review, the following tariffs are now in place: 

  • Free parking on Sundays in council pay and display surface car parks for cars in Church Stretton, Ellesmere, Market Drayton, Much Wenlock, Wem and Whitchurch.
  • Free parking in all council pay and display surface car parks across the county on Bank Holidays and Public Holidays.
  • Reduced charges on a Sunday to a half the normal Monday to Saturday tariff in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Oswestry and Bridgnorth in the council’s surface car parks.
  • Half the normal Monday to Saturday tariff in Shrewsbury in Raven Meadows Multi Storey Car Park on Sundays, Bank Holidays and Public Holidays. 

Please note, Raven Meadows multi-storey car park in Shrewsbury will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but all other council car parks will be open and free on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. 

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

“We have worked hard to be flexible by providing free parking wherever we can for late-night shopping and other events.  All our car parks are free after 6pm anyway, and many are free on Sundays and Bank Holidays, so I hope people will visit their local town centres over the Christmas period to do some shopping, have a night out or just enjoy the festive atmosphere.” 

The council has linked up with various town councils, chambers of trade and voluntary groups across the county to support a number of initiatives, such as Christmas fairs and late-night shopping events, as follows: 

Shrewsbury – Frankwell Main Long Stay, Abbey Foregate and St Julian’s Friars car parks 

Free from 4pm on late-night shopping Wednesdays (12 and 19 December 2012) and Park and Ride will be operating extra services until 9pm. 

Shrewsbury Park and Ride (Meole Brace, Harlescott and Oxon) has a special offer of £1 return with free all-day parking until Christmas Eve.  A group ticket is also available allowing up to five people to travel for £2.50 (which is half price) after 9.30am. 

Ludlow – Galdeford and Smithfield Long Stay and Castle Street Short Stay car parks 

Free from 2pm for Tinsel Tuesdays (11 and 18 December 2012). 

Ludlow Park and Ride has a special offer until Christmas Eve – return ticket 50p with free all-day parking. 

Church Stretton – Easthope Car Park 

Free from 4pm for late-night shopping on Thursday 13 December 2012.

Shifnal

All Shropshire Council car parks are free in Shifnal Monday to Sunday, all year round.  This is available as Shifnal Town Council pays a subsidy to Shropshire Council to keep them free of charge to the public.