It is possible to park in town

10:14am Monday 21st April 2008

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BUSINESSES in Ludlow are trying to counter the belief that parking is next to impossible in the town.

Chamber of Trade chair Peter Cook said: "Over the last year, the customers of the town who live in a 40 mile radius, have gained the impression that Ludlow is a difficult place in which to park, and so in many cases have taken their business elsewhere.

"We have to get the message out that it is now easier to park in the town, as a visitor, than it has been for a good many years." The Chamber is now working with the county and district councils to produce a guide that explains how parking in Ludlow works.

Ludlow town councillor Mickey Bradley agreed that parking charges are harming Ludlow's shop keepers and market traders. He said shoppers and visitors were now by-passing Ludlow instead of coming in.

A new scale of off-street parking charges is expected to begin around the middle of May.

In the Smithfield car park, the day rate will rise from 60p to £1.50. In the top two levels of the Galdeford car park, the charge for a stay of more than four hours will go up from £3 to £4 but will be unchanged for shorter stays. It will be possible to stay longer in the lower levels but the charge will rise from £1 to £2.

The council wants to encourage longer stay visitors to come into town on the park and ride from the Eco Park.

Castle Street car park in the town centre will become a designated short stay area with a £2 charge for a four-hour maximum. The aim is to increase the number of vehicles using a relatively small but high demand spot.