Part 1 of Shropshire Council’s new parking strategy, which considers issues relating to provision of, and payment for, on-street and off-street parking, was approved in January 2018 following a 12-week public consultation in 2017. We're now carrying out a further consultation on a small number of additional proposals.
The proposals are focused on four towns, and, in most cases, on specific groups within each of these towns. We're therefore particularly inviting responses from these groups, though we welcome views from anyone with an interest in these matters.
Listed below you'll see the proposals broken down by town. For each there is a summary of the existing position, the proposed change, the reasons for this proposal, and the likely impact (both positive and negative).
Please read and consider any proposals that relate to you, or in which you have an interest. Then tell us whether or not you agree, and if you have any comments, by clicking on the 'How to get involved' tab at the top of this page. Alternatively, you can comment as follows:
We're also hosting a series of drop-in sessions for face-to-face discussions about these proposals. The next drop-in session is to be held on:
For more information on this consultation, please call 0345 678 9077.
Bridgnorth - Low Town
Existing position/issue
The current on-street traffic regulation order (TRO) permits the proprietor or manager of a hotel, guest house, bed and breakfast, self-catering or holiday let establishment to apply for visitor permits, valid for one day, which will allow their guests to park on specified streets within existing on-street residents parking schemes.
Proposal
That the provision of visitor permits is removed and replaced with a provision to allow the proprietor or manager of a hotel, guest house, bed and breakfast, self-catering or holiday let establishment to apply for season tickets for use by their guests in any Shropshire Council car parks listed as bands 4, 5 and 6 in accordance with the season ticket tariffs, proposed in part 1 of the new parking strategy (recommendation xiii).
Reason/s
- To give priority to, and improve availability of limited on-street provision to, permanent residents and their visitors who have registered and purchased on-street residents’ parking permits
- To ensure a consistent approach across the county
- To ensure appropriate provision is made available in accordance with the principles of parking hierarchy (in the spirit of the new strategy)
Potential impact
- Additional availability for residents’ on-street parking
- Season tickets aren't as flexible as visitor permits, would cost more and there would be a minimum purchase of one month
- Potential increase in distance of parking from premises
- Proprietors can administer online
Ellesmere - Mereside on-street
Existing position/issue
The parking strategy proposal for 50% concessions on Sunday, bank and public holidays doesn't promote the parking hierarchy.
Proposal
Remove the Sunday, bank and public holiday concession proposal outlined in recommendation xvi of the part 1 parking strategy proposals. Tariff rates on Sunday, bank and public holidays will therefore be £1 per hour rather than 50p an hour.
Reason/s
A need to promote off-street parking in nearby off-street car parks to prevent congestion and retain income for the upkeep of the countryside park.
Potential impact
Better parking hierarchy; less on-street congestion.
Ludlow - Castle Street car park
Existing position/issue
Market trader permits are available at a concessionary rate of £4 per day from April to December and £2 per day from January to March.
Proposal
Removal of this concession.
Reason/s
- To address car park/town centre congestion issues and promote use of alternative car parks more appropriate to vehicle type
- Standard capped tariff considered appropriate
- Consistency across the county
- Concession shouldn't be more favourable than that available to residents
Potential impact
- Increase in parking availability for visitors
- Less town centre congestion
- Increase in parking congestion in outlying car parks
- Not as convenient for market traders to return to vehicles
- Parking tariff compatibility for all users
Ludlow - Galdeford B and Smithfield car parks
Existing position/issue
Market trader permits are available at a concessionary rate of £2 per day.
Proposal
Removal of this concession.
Reason/s
- To address car park/town centre congestion issues and promote use of alternative car parks more appropriate to vehicle type
- Standard capped tariff considered appropriate
- Consistency across the county
- Concession shouldn't be more favourable than that available to residents
Potential impact
- Increase in cost for market trader parking
- Parking tariff compatibility for all users
Ludlow - on-street pay and display and residents parking (red zone)
Existing position/issue
The traffic regulation order (TRO) currently provides for permit concessions to market traders.
Proposal
Removal of this concession.
Reason/s
- To prevent market trader usage shift from Castle Street car park to on-street, and hence address car park/town centre congestion issues and promote use of alternative car parks more appropriate to vehicle type
- To promote availability of space for pay and display parking and resident permit holders
- Concession shouldn't be more favourable than that available to residents
Potential impact
- Increase in availability for residents/visitors
- Less town centre congestion
- Increase in parking congestion in outlying car parks
- Not as convenient for market traders to return to vehicles
Ludlow - off-street car parks
Existing position/issue
The traffic regulation order (TRO) currently provides for permit concessions allowing for the proprietor or manager of a hotel, guest house, bed and breakfast, self-catering or holiday let establishment to purchase season tickets in named off-street car parks.
Proposal
Provision removed and replaced with a provision to allow the proprietor or manager of a hotel, guest house, bed and breakfast, self-catering or holiday let establishment to apply for season tickets for use by their guests in any Shropshire Council car parks listed as bands 4, 5 and 6, as recommended in accordance with the season ticket tariffs within part 1 of the new parking strategy (recommendation xiii).
Reason/s
- To ensure a consistent approach across the county
- To ensure appropriate provision is made available in accordance with the principles of parking hierarchy (in the spirit of the new strategy)
- During the public consultation the need to retain or provide new provision for guests of hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties or holiday lets was raised
Potential impact
- Season tickets aren't as flexible as visitor permits, would cost more and there would be a minimum purchase of one month
- Potential increase in distance of parking from premises
- Proprietors administer online
Shrewsbury - Raven Meadows multi-storey car park
Existing position/issue
Opening hours at Raven Meadows are currently 8am to 6pm. On Sundays and bank and public holidays a flat rate tariff for up to a ten-hour stay applies. It's proposed that 24-hour opening hours are introduced, permitting parking for stays longer than ten hours. If as currently proposed the ten-hour cap on the flat rate is retained, the standard hourly tariff for periods of stay beyond ten hours will apply. There are also proposed caps on the standard tariff for any periods of stay over eight hours, and periods of stay over three hours incurred after 6pm.
Proposal
Amend recommendation xvi of the part 1 strategy proposals to remove the proposed ten-hour cap and allow unlimited periods of parking on Sundays and bank and public holidays for the flat rate of £1.50 per day.
Reason/s
- Ease of implementation
- Customer understanding
- Tariff consistency
Potential impact
- Less confusion hence more efficient customer service
- More workable traffic regulation order (TRO)
- Simplifies machine programming
Shrewsbury - proposed on-street pay and display tariff
Existing position/issue
The proposed rate of a £2.50 per hour tariff has presented machine programming issues with the proposed 30 minutes minimum vend (recommendation ii of part 1 strategy proposals).
Proposal
Option 1: reduce tariff to £2.40 per hour, retain 30 minutes minimum vend.
Option 2: increase tariff to £2.60 per hour, retain 30 minutes minimum vend.
Option 3: Retain tariff proposal at £2.50 per hour, increase minimum vend to one hour.
Reason/s
Option 1: avoids 5p tariff increments, retains 30 minutes minimum vend.
Option 2: avoids 5p tariff increments, retains 30 minutes minimum vend.
Option 3: (a) avoids 5p tariff increments; (b) further promotes transport hierarchy (use of off-street provision) whilst improving availability for blue badge holders.
Potential impact
- Better customer service
- Simplifies machine programming
- Reduced cash collection
Shrewsbury - on-street residents' permits
Existing position/issue
Existing traffic regulation order (TRO) gives authority for the issue of residents’ voucher/visitor permits.
Proposal
Revocation of the above.
Reason/s
The on-street resident voucher scheme would be replaced by an off-street scheme with the implementation of the new strategy.
Potential impact
None.
Shrewsbury - Frankwell Riverside and Quay car parks
Existing position/issue
Introduction of weekly tickets, residents' permits and season tickets as per recommendation xi in the part 1 strategy proposals.
Proposal
Don't allow allow weekly tickets, residents' permits and season tickets in these car parks.
Reason/s
- Capacity issues
- Access during emergency events (eg flooding)
Potential impact
- Shift to parking in Frankwell Main car park
- Manages long-stay parking, hence provides availability for short stay
- Emergency event planning
Shrewsbury - Frankwell main car park
Existing position/issue
Market trader permits are available at a concessionary rate of £2 per day.
Proposal
Removal of this concession.
Reason/s
- Standard capped tariff considered appropriate
- Consistency across the county
- Concession shouldn't be more favourable than that available to residents
Potential impact
- Increase in cost for market trader parking
- Parking tariff compatibility for all users
Shrewsbury - loading bay opposite Theatre Severn, Frankwell
Existing position/issue
Existing times of operation are 7:30am to 6pm.
Proposal
Extend hours of operation until 8pm.
Reason/s
Not in keeping with recommendation v of the part 1 parking strategy proposals ie the extension of hours of charging until 8pm on Frankwell car parks.
Potential impact
- Promotes off-street parking
- Alignment with car park operational hours in the vicinity hence maintain loading bay availability and reduce on-street congestion