A CALL has been made for a review of parking charges in Craven Arms and Church Stretton.

Heather Kidd, Liberal Democrat candidate for Ludlow, has called on Shropshire Council to bring forward its proposals to review car parking charges as evidence emerged of disruption in several market towns, most prominently Craven Arms and Church Stretton. "The problem in Craven Arms is particularly bad. The introduction of car parking charges a few years ago hasn’t worked,” said Mrs Kidd.

“The car park remains largely empty all day whilst the surrounding streets are choked by parked cars. “Millmeade, on Mayfield Avenue, a centre for the elderly and disabled, is particularly badly affected. Not only are visitors not able to park but patients arriving for appointments with Social Services in the building can’t find anywhere to park. “Shropshire Council now needs urgently to address this problem, not just Craven Arms but across the county. Similar problems exist in Church Stretton and elsewhere.

“The county needs to tailor the parking regime to the economic and social needs of each community and take into consideration the full range of measures available including reduced car park charges, on street parking charges and residents’ parking.”