Shropshire parking strategy
What is the parking strategy?
The parking strategy for Shropshire ensures a consistent approach to parking across the county. Prior to becoming a unitary authority, our off-street car parks fell under the control of district and borough councils, while on-street parking was the responsibility of the old county council.
The availability and effective use of parking is an important tool in managing traffic, as well as impacting on the quality of the local environment, and has a role in supporting local economic vitality. It's important therefore that we take a coherent approach to using this asset, while reflecting the local issues in market towns.
Aim
The strategy’s aim is to manage the existing parking stock, with particular emphasis on Shropshire's market towns, and is a key component of the Local Transport Plan.
The strategy doesn't set parking charges, but does establish the relative pricing and principles for charging. Charges/tariffs will be reviewed annually as part of the financial strategy alongside other emerging factors, and any changes will be consulted upon in line with the relevant traffic regulation order.
Background
We reviewed all parking areas during 2010, with a particular focus on bringing consistency to off-street parking arrangements across the county. The resulting changes were implemented from April 2011.
Work commenced in 2017 towards a new strategy, and key elements included standardisation of tariffs, including a linear parking tariff and the roll-out of additional cashless payment options such as paying by phone, as well as consulting on the proposals for a new waiver system on parking for tradespeople, and a new on-street resident’s parking policy.
The strategy
At cabinet on 12 July 2017 the new draft parking strategy was presented and the full details can be found at agenda item 32 on the agenda of that meeting.
New parking strategy framework
At its meeting on 12 July 2017 cabinet gave approval to undertake a public consultation exercise on a series of proposals for a new parking strategy. A 12-week public consultation was launched on 22 July 2017 and closed on 17 October 2017. A total of 2,486 responses and many additional individual comments were received.
Given the number and complexities of the issues raised during the consultation the reporting of the parking strategy framework is proposed to be in to two parts:
- Part 1: Implementation of the linear model and associated elements
- Part 2: On-street residents parking
Part 1 – implementation of the linear model
The report submitted to cabinet on 17 January 2018 outlines the conclusions and recommendations for implementation of Part 1 of the parking strategy framework.
Part 2 – on-street residents' parking policy
A further report outlines the conclusions and recommendations for a new on-street residents parking policy.
Further reading
New parking strategy framework - traffic regulation order (TRO) decision report: Ludlow and Shrewsbury - changes to on-street pay and display and loading – cabinet 25 July 2018
At its meeting on 17 January 2018 cabinet gave approval for the implementation of Part 1 of the new Parking Strategy Framework.
This report relates to Shropshire Council’s statutory requirement to advertise proposals to make a traffic regulation order (TRO) and give due consideration to the comments and objections received before making an order. This report considers the responses received during the formal consultation relating to proposed changes to the on-street pay and display and loading TRO in Ludlow and Shrewsbury. The existing TRO relating to on-street parking is the Shropshire Council (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Parking Places) Order 2011.
Parking strategy – approval of changes – cabinet 4 September 2019
Key elements of the changes include areas around on-street resident parking, holiday lets, season tickets in car parks, Raven Meadows operating hours and charges, and removal of the convenience fee.