Four wardens have been hired to referee a new 90-minute parking rule at Meole Brace Retail Park after every store complained about football fans.
The time limit comes into play only when there is a home game at Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s new stadium in Oteley Road, but is applicable to everyone.
It means Christmas shoppers will have to watch the time on Saturday, December 15 – and Town have a further three home games over the busy new year period. The penalty for overstaying is £60, rising to £80 after seven days.
Gill Burdekin, operations manager for retail park owner, LaSalle Investment Management, based in London, said: “The car park is for retail park customers and staff, it’s not a free-for-all for all and sundry if they are not shopping there. We need to try and protect the spaces for the stores that are there.”
She said there had been regular liaison with the football club but, despite a comprehensive Travel Plan, every tenant of the retail park had complained about parking by fans.
Meanwhile, highways bosses have admitted they are re-considering placing cones to stop fans parking in residential areas. The practice was recently revealed to cost £1,150 per match.
Gareth Proffitt, spokesman for Shropshire County Council, said: “The issue of indiscriminate parking was discussed at the STFC Liaison Group meeting on November 21.
“It was agreed that there was a potential issue over indiscriminate parking around the stadium and, as this is an amenity issue, the borough council has been asked to look into it.
“It is understood that SABC will be setting up a stakeholders’ meeting to look at ways of addressing this issue, and Shropshire County Council is currently considering its position with regard to the temporary coning in the area.”
Graham Watson, of Sutton Area Residents’ Association, said: “We are concerned that if parking is not controlled in those areas, the hard work on the travel plan will be a waste of time because people won’t go to the Park and Ride when they can park for free 500 yards away.”