A YEAR after new parking charges were introduced in Ludlow it is being claimed that they have been good news.

The controversial claim about the benefits has been made by Shropshire Council.

However, people in Ludlow, including town mayor Tim Gill, say that the move has, in reality, damaged trade.

Shropshire Council is highlighting some of the benefits of parking in its car parks and on-street parking areas.

A number of changes were introduced last year as part of the council’s new parking strategy, which aimed to make parking – and paying for parking – in Shropshire’s market towns simpler, clearer, and more consistent across the county.

Now, five of the key benefits are being promoted through a series of infographics on the council’s website and social media channels.

These include:

n 15 minutes’ pop and shop parking in all pay and display car parks and on-street parking areas.

n Free parking after 6pm in all pay and display car parks and on-street parking areas.

n A set price per hour to park in all car parks and on-street parking areas.

n Payment by card in all car parks and on-street parking areas.

n Get the parking time that you pay for in all car parks and on-street parking areas, when you pay by cash or card.

“Our new parking strategy was designed to make parking charges clearer, simpler and more consistent, and to deliver a wide range of other improvements and benefits to people using our car parks and on-street parking areas,” said Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport.

“It really is easy to park and easy to pay in Shropshire and we’re eager to get these messages out to people to make them aware of the many benefits available to them when they visit and park in one of our market towns.”