Multi-storey 'the only solution' over Bridgnorth parking problems
The only solution to Bridgnorth's increasing parking problem is a multi-storey car park, the town's mayor has said.
About 100 car parking spaces are going to be lost in the town after permission was granted for new shops on the old Smithfield site.
Mayor Ron Whittle said the biggest impact of the development will be on parking.
"It's perhaps not so much of a problem midweek, but every car park in the town centre is chocablock every weekend. You see cars circulating again and again trying to get a space," he said.
"The Chamber of Commerce help out by providing the Park and Ride, but that's a voluntary effort.
"It is what it is, we're going to have to live with it. The only alternative I'm aware of might be if they put a multi-storey on Innage Lane car park, which isn't going to happen. It'd be up to Shropshire Council."
Parking issues will start the moment that work begins on construction, said Councillor Whittle.
Expensive
"We're going to lose the whole of that car park while work is going on, and once the construction is complete we're still going to lose 100 spaces.
"The only other option is to take the case to the Supreme Court, which is horrendously expensive. Nobody has the money to do that."
The Old Smithfield decision has been a long time coming.
More than 6,800 people signed a petition started by Bridgnorth’s Chamber of Commerce to halt the development.
And after the plans were given the go-ahead by Shropshire Council, they were the subject of a planning inquiry.
But last week Government Housing Secretary James Brokenshire gave the development the green light.
Councillor Whittle said it seemed like local councils were ignored when it came to planning issues.
See also:
He said: "I think it's sad that when you look at what happens with planning decisions that come from on high, they don't seem to take a great deal of note of what the local council says."
Mr Brokenshire dismissed fears the development would take trade away from the historic High Street.
The site will include five new shops sized to attract new retailers that cannot currently be accommodated in the town centre.
Developers claim it will increase choice and stop people travelling from the town to Telford.
