£100 Ludlow parking permit plans come under fire
Residents in the heart of Ludlow could soon have to pay out £100 for the right to park outside their homes if a new parking strategy is passed by Shropshire Council.
A public consultation on changes to on-street parking in Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Ellesmere was launched earlier this month and is set to close in a week's time.
The consultation has come in for criticism from Ludlow East Councillor Andy Boddington who said: "The latest parking consultation was launched without any fanfare, not so much as a press release or even an email to Shropshire councillors. That seems to be the normal practice for Shropshire Council these days.
"The cost of having an annual residents’ permit for Ludlow’s Red and Blue Zones will double to £100. Only one permit will be allowed for each property. That’s a change from previous plans which were more flexible, allowing more than one permit providing the streets did not become too crowded.
"Every property with a resident’s permit will be eligible for 200 hours of free parking for guests. Visitor permits will be available for residents that do not hold a residents’ permit at a cost of £5."
On its consultation documents, Shropshire Council has said: "Shropshire Council is proposing to make an order to facilitate a number of proposals related to the phased implementation and provision of its new parking strategy.
"Eligible Ludlow residents will now be able to purchase one resident parking permit per premise, with one car registration allowed per permit, at a cost of £100 per year.
"Each property shall be entitled to receive a maximum allocation of up to 200 hours of visitors parking annually, and there will be no fee for the allocation of visitors parking for residents who purchase a residents parking permit. The charge for the allocation of visitors parking for residents of properties who do not purchase a residents parking permit will be £5.
"These changes are intended to improve and better manage overall parking service provision, and to be a contributing factor in reducing carbon emissions. They will also increase air quality, minimise congestion, and enhance vibrancy in market towns."
To take part in the consultation click here.
Shropshire Council declined to comment.
