PARKING wardens in Tenbury have boosted business for traders.

That appears to be the verdict three months after wardens started to enforce parking restrictions in the town.

Sarah Thompson, chairman of Tenbury Chamber of Trade, has said that the controversial move has helped the majority of shops in the town.

“It has not helped everyone but overall the feeling is that it has been a good thing,” she said.

“Cars are not left parked all day and so because they move there is more opportunity for people to park and pop into the shops so it has helped.”

But she believes that the one hour limit should be extended to two hours.

“The message seems to be that extending the waiting time would help,” added Sarah Thompson.

“I have heard people say that allowing longer would enable people to do some shopping and also treat themselves to lunch so I would like to see motorists being allowed two hours instead of one.”

The call for a change in the length of the waiting time is one of a number of alternatives that are either in the pipeline or being discussed.

One change that will take place will be the removal of parking restrictions in Cross Street that is largely used for residential parking.

This was a particular cause for concern from Tenbury Town Council when the enforcement of parking restrictions began last November.

“I am glad that this will be happening,” said George Price, the mayor of Tenbury, who had been unhappy that the enforcement in Cross Street would cause other problems.

“Overall I believe that the parking restrictions have helped traders and this is what we expected to happen.”

He said that parking would be further improved when a waste collection and recycling area on the swimming pool car park is moved to the Business Park in Bromyard Road.

“This should create another 30 parking places that will be a good thing,” added George Price.

He said that consideration was also going to be given to providing some extra overflow parking on Palmers Meadow but stressed that this would not infringe upon the sports pitches.

One of the reasons Tenbury needs additional parking is because the ‘informal’ car park on the old Cattle Market site will not be available when work on the new Tesco supermarket starts.

Tony Penn, who represents Tenbury on Malvern Hills District Council, said it was not common for traffic wardens to be popular but he had also been told by traders that they had boosted business.

“The traders I have spoken to seem to think that it has been a good thing and has helped their businesses,” said Tony Penn.

“What used to happen is some motorists occupied parking spaces for prolonged periods throughout the day.