Council U-turn on parking permit increases

Businesses in the historic town of Ironbridge have had the cost of their parking permits halved in a major U-turn by Telford & Wrekin Council.

Following cuts in Government funding last year, the council took the decision to hike the cost of the annual parking permits for businesses.

The move saw the cost of a permit rise to £115 in line with associated increases in the town’s pay and display costs.
However, following a review of these charges and the council’s finances a decision has been taken to revert back to the charge to £55 per year.

Angie Astley, Telford & Wrekin Council’s assistant director for Neighbourhood & Customer Services, said: “This decision has been made to support businesses in The Gorge and reduce the impact that this rise may have had on their local employees.

“It follows on from continuing investment in the Gorge over the last two years including the £17m Jackfield Stabilisation project and more recently the £400,000 investment in The Wharfage footway improvement scheme.”

The council said the current year would see further investment in the town, with a number of schemes due for completion over the next few months.

These include:

• Resurfacing of B4373 Madeley Road and Ironbridge Road;
• Road surface improvements to the Wharfage, Tontine Hill, High Street, B4373 Barnetts Leasows, Coalport High Street and Lloyds Road;
• Footway improvements along Coalport High Street and Station Road
• Replacement railings along the Wharfage
• Drainage improvements adjacent to Hill Top House, Ironbridge Road
• Safety and structural repairs to Madeley Road retaining walls
• Street lighting LED upgrades across the Gorge
• Road marking refreshment across the Gorge

Initial pre-patching works have started along The Wharfage in advance of the surface dressing works being undertaken later this month.