As part of the changes, Sunday parking fees in off-street car will be half the cost of weekdays, and are now free on bank and public holidays.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for parking, said:

“The aim of the council’s car parking policy is to help ensure that longer-stay vehicles are concentrated in the car parks, rather than the on-street spaces, to help remove congestion, and allow a greater number of people easier access to the town centre services and facilities.

“This isn’t currently being achieved in Shrewsbury and Ludlow on Sundays, and this is something which the introduction of Sunday on-street parking charges aims to address, as well as providing additional funds that can be put towards our public transport services.”

The introduction of Sunday on-street parking charges in Shrewsbury and Ludlow will cost around £6,000, but will increase the level of income by around £30,000 each year.

Income from on-street parking is put towards providing the Park and Ride bus services in the two towns, with any surplus used to subsidise local bus services.

Andy Boddington who is standing for Shropshire Council in Ludlow North as a Liberal Democrat next May said:

“This decision is a blow for Ludlow. Shoppers are very sensitive to parking charges. No town can afford to scare off potential customers. The length of time shoppers can park on the streets on Sundays should be restricted to encourage them to use the car parks. But they should park for free. Charging when other towns don’t charge is plain daft.”