Free parking ‘grace period’ to be introduced by council

Drivers will be given 15 minutes’ free parking in an effort to boost high street trade, under new plans being introduced by Shropshire Council.

The council is introducing a ‘grace period’ of 15 minutes for designated pay and display bays at all council-owned surface car parks and on-street parking bays, meaning people would not need to buy a ticket if they were only parking for 15 minutes.

Council leader, Keith Barrow, said the aim was to make it easier for drivers to visit their local town centre without being put off by parking charges.

He said:

“High streets up and down the country are under pressure and car parking charges have been a bone of contention for some time now.  As a council we are determined to do everything we can to encourage people to visit town centres and use their local shops.

“By giving a grace period of 15 minutes, I hope we will make it easier for those people who just want to pop into town for a short time to run an errand or visit a particular shop.”

From Monday 20 May 2013, the grace period will apply to designated pay and display car parking bays at all council-owned surface car parks across the county (apart from those which already have a free period of parking), and on-street pay and display parking bays.

Councillor Barrow said the decision had been taken following discussions with all of the MPs in the Shropshire Council area, Owen Paterson, Daniel Kawczynski, Philip Dunne and Mark Pritchard.

Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, said:

“I am delighted that these new parking rules are being implemented.  This will make it much easier for local people to ‘pop in’ and use their local shops.  I hope that my constituents will take full advantage of 15 minutes free parking to support local retailers.”

Further information

The grace period does not apply to the Raven Meadows multi-storey car park in Shrewsbury, as drivers have to pay when leaving the car park.  It also does not include restricted parking areas, such as loading bays and double-yellow lines.  Parking is still not allowed in disabled bays without a blue badge.

There are already free limited-time waiting bays close to shops in Bridgnorth, Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Wem, Ellesmere, Church Stretton, Much Wenlock and many other town centre locations.

In addition, in Shrewsbury, the following locations are within a short walk of the town centre which have periods of free limited waiting available: Castle Foregate, Longden Coleham, Coton Hill, Frankwell and the Abbey Foregate loop road.