Free evening parking in Shrewsbury to be considered by Cabinet

A recommendation for parking in Shrewsbury to remain free after 6pm will be considered by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet following a meeting between the council and Shrewsbury BID.

At the meeting on Tuesday (7 August 2018) the BID raised concerns about plans to introduce charging until 8pm on-street and in the Bridge Street, St Austin’s Street and Quarry swimming centre car parks as part of Shropshire Council’s new parking strategy – and requested that parking remain free after 6pm.

Peter Nutting, leader of the council, and  Steve Davenport, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said that they were minded to support the BID’s request, and it will now be formally considered by Cabinet shortly.

If agreed by Cabinet the proposals mean that parking will remain free after 6pm in Shrewsbury both on-street, and in all Shropshire Council owned car parks – with the exception of Raven Meadows multi-storey, for which charges will apply until midnight initially, before the planned 24-hour opening comes into effect.

As part of the proposals the BID would work with the council on the promotion, implementation and development of the strategy, and support its efforts to promote Shrewsbury as a great place to shop, visit and work.

It has already been formally agreed that under the new strategy there will be: free parking on Sundays and bank holidays in Frankwell and Abbey Foregate; 15 minutes’ ‘pop and shop’ free parking in all car parks; and discounted weekly and season tickets in Frankwell and Abbey Foregate. Parking for up to five hours in Frankwell and Abbey Foregate will be cheaper than it is now.

The changes already formally agreed are due to come into effect in Shrewsbury in September 2018 before the new parking strategy is rolled out across the county.

Steve Davenport, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“Along with the Leader I was happy to meet with the BID and discuss their concerns regarding the proposed evening parking charges in Shrewsbury. One of the key aims of the new parking strategy is to encourage people to visit Shrewsbury – and all our market towns – by making parking and parking charges simpler, clearer and fairer, and to help local business as a result. We welcomed the BID’s request for free parking after 6pm as this is something that we feel will benefit local businesses and boost Shrewsbury’s night time economy, and this will now be formally considered by Cabinet.”