Mountfields’ residents' parking scheme not to proceed.

Members of the Economy and Environment scrutiny panel agreed on Tuesday (21 October) to recommend that the County Council do not proceed with the proposed Mountfields’ residents-only parking scheme as the second round of consultation did not indicate sufficient support from residents.

Mountfields had been chosen as a pilot area following significant demands from residents and councillors. Seventeen local people attended the special meeting on Tuesday to air their views about the scheme.

Although it was recognised that a relatively high proportion of residents (41%) responded to the consultation, only 66% of respondents were in favour of the proposals. This means only 27% of the residents were in favour of the scheme. The council’s policy requires 70%, of respondents to be in favour of a scheme to progress.

Officers were commended for this piece of work, which was to be a pilot for all other residential parking schemes in Shropshire.

Following the scrutiny meeting officers have been asked to complete a lessons learned report so that the Panel can consider whether to recommend further proposals.

Alan Mosley, Shropshire County Councils, Chair of the Economy and Environment scrutiny panel, said: "It is clear that many people who liked the idea of residents only parking have become more negative when they have considered all the implications. There are some 80 proposals for some type of scheme from residents throughout the county. No doubt some of the smaller schemes can proceed but we will have to look for more concrete evidence of strong resident support for larger schemes. Despite initial demands, widespread publicity and officer efforts to raise interest, the Mountfields scheme only gained 27% support.”

Anne Chebsey, Shropshire County Councillor for Porthill, said: “I would like to thank the officers for all the time and effort they have put into drawing up the scheme.

“One positive outcome from this work is that it has been identified where extra parking spaces can be achieved by reviewing the location and length of the yellow lines presently in the area.”

23 October 2008