Councillor disappointment at no changes to Oswestry car park

Councillor Paul Milner put forward a motion to make the car park, in English Walls, pay on exit in order to stop anti-social behaviour, such as boy racers and loud music in cars, from happening.

However, at last week's Oswestry Town Council finances and general purposes committee meeting, members decided to take no further action on the car park, which Cllr Milner admitted was disappointing as he felt a feasibility study would have helped residents.

"I'm really disappointed – it would have been good to get Central Car Park moving forward," said Cllr Milner.

"It was disappointing that we didn't move for a feasibility study and have something to bring back for the residents that live next to the car park.

"At the moment, boy racers can get into the car park throughout the evening because they don't need to buy a ticket.

"And the police have told me they are using it as a rat run because there are no barriers in place and they don't have to pay.

"But if it was pay on exit in the evening, then the barriers would stay down and they wouldn't be able to use it.

"The barriers are up to provide free parking for residents overnight.

"It was very disappointing that it didn't go through but I'm not kicking my fellow councillors.

"The study would have helped residents and that's disappointing.

"I hope I will get to bring this back at some point and I know there are other councillors who want to do something – I have also spoken to John Campion, the West Mercia PCC and Inspector Claire Greenaway and they are both taking it seriously."

A statement from Oswestry Town Council said: "Elected members considered a number of different payment options for the car park and at their meeting in November will further consider the introduction of a pay by app option.

"The committee also decided not to undertake a review of the access and design of the Central Car Park."