New parking charges confirmed for Shropshire market towns

The new charges are to be introduced in some car parks in Market Drayton, Wem and Ellesmere from 1 April. Existing charges at other car parks across the county will be increasing in line with inflation.

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and IT, Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, said: “We have worked very hard on these proposals and I hope people understand they have been developed to make parking charges fair across the county, as well as mitigating the significant national funding cuts currently being faced by the council.

“It has not been a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach – every town has been looked at individually, and indeed some areas have seen reductions in charges. We understand that short shopping trips are an important part of the economy for market towns, so we have kept the first hour of parking free wherever we can. It is also important to point out that all revenue generated by parking is put back into providing services countywide.”

The new charges are payable seven days a week from 8am to 6pm:

Market Drayton - Towers Lawn car park:
Up to one hour: Free. Up to two hours: 10p. Up to 10 hours £1.80.

Wem - High Street and Leek Street car parks:
Up to one hour: Free. Up to two hours: 10p. Up to 10 hours £1.80.

Wem - Mill Street car park:
Up to two hours: 10p. Up to 10 hours £1.80.

Ellesmere - Cross Street, Talbot Street, and Spar Bridge car parks:
Up to two hours: 10p. Up to 10 hours £1.80.

Season tickets are also available for regular users, which give a daily discount and allow parking at all hours, priced at £27 for one month, £77 for three months, £144 for six months, and £270 for one year.

Prior to Shropshire Council being formed, off-street car parks fell within the control of district and borough councils, and on-street parking was within control of the county council.

A new parking strategy was approved by the council in December 2010, following extensive consultation with residents and businesses.