Ludlow Town Council told to fund parking order

Ludlow councillors were left in “stunned silence” after being told the town council will have to fund a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in the market square.

Members met on Monday evening (March 9) to hear from Simon D’Vali, the interim executive manager at Shropshire Council, and what can be done to sort out the parking issues, especially when the market is on.

The town council has already placed signs  due to the ongoing problems, with traders even forced to set up their stalls around a car left parked int he wrong place.

The authority also want yellow lines to be put in place to stop people parking on the entrance to Castle Street car park.

However, what they were not expecting was to hear that it will have to fund a TRO if they want enforcement restrictions put in.

“There isn’t a finance mechanism of this work,” said Mr D’Vali.

“If there was previously, there isn’t one now. So I am here requesting from the town council a recommended to deliver it.”

When hearing it would cost “roughly £8,000”, the deputy mayor, Councillor Katherine Cowell gasped, “what?”

The mayor, Councillor Diane Lyle, told Mr D’Vali – who spoke to the council via an online link – there was “stunned silence”.

Councillor Pete Addis asked if the money could be funded by parking fines that would be picked up by Shropshire Council.

“That’s not my role,” said Mr D’Vali.

“I’m here with a remit to provide transport initiatives.”

Mr D’Vali – who comes to Shropshire twice a week from Leeds – said his understanding was that a TRO was previously consulted on, but there were no agreements about how the restriction was going to take place.

“What has happened now is that we’re not in a position to deliver anything until we first understand what the machanism there is on a TRO,” said Mr D’Vali.

“If the town council are minded to fund the TRO, I can put that through the process and make that happen as soon as possible.”

Md D’Vali acknowledged there is a problem with parking at the market square and the entrance to the parking, with vehicles parked on both sides.

“People are believing they can park for free – unfortunately we are unable to enforce at that location,” he said.

Mr D’Vali was told that there is a section called “Post Office Square”, which Councillor Glenn Ginger said is a highway due to deliveries taking place.

“Has there been any consultation with the businesses that can’t survive without the use of that?” asked Councillor Ginger.

In reply, Mr D’Vali said: “There is a level of detail here that I’m not privy too.

“I am aware that a scheme was consulted on in the past. If there are agreements around this type of area, we would be foolish not to consult the local businesses – we do need to speak to them.

“But we also need to remember why this was put in in the first place – it’s so the market traders can get on with their business.

“I think it would be necessary for me to attend in person with drawings and the previous ones that were consulted on and to see if we want to make changes.”

The town clerk, Gina Wilding, explained that Post Office Square is essentially covered by a parking order, which also covers Event Square. She said that the town council has an agreement with Shropshire Council to have stalls on that bit of Post Office Square, with a proviso there is adequate room for access to Quality Square and a route around the market.

Members agreed that the proposals should not be discussed further until they have met with Mr D’Vali in person.