Angry commuters have hit out at an eight per cent hike in car parking charges at Shrewsbury’s Railway Station.
The latest increase means people using the Howard Street car park with a monthly season ticket will be paying £58.37 from Monday – up from £54.
According to one motorist, just four years ago the charge was £20, an increase of almost 150 per cent in that time.
Chris Knowles who travels to Birmingham on a daily basis contacted the Chronicle after a notice went up in the NCP car park about new charges being introduced from Monday.
Daily parking will be £3.80, up from £3.70, and weekly parking will be £15.20, up from £14.80.
Mr Knowles said there were regular increases but to date the amount has only gone up by four or five per cent.
“Prices from next week will go up for monthly parking from £54 to £58.37, an eight per cent increase. It’s one of two increases that take place each year but it generally only goes up by four or five per cent. If you add the two increases this year together it’s into double figures.”
Mr Knowles who drives into Shrewsbury from Church Stretton said: “I park and commute each day, there’s no other option. With the growing numbers of commuters travelling into Birmingham, they’re really milking it with these parking charges.”
He said he had submitted a letter to Arriva Trains Wales bosses who manage the car park asking for an explanation.
“I want to know why this decision has been made. Four years ago it was £20 a month, and now it’s £58, it’s ridiculous. It’s a lot of money every year,” he added.
Spokesman for Arriva Trains Wales Stuart Jones said £58 for a monthly season ticket at Shrewsbury station car park compared favorably with the cost of parking in the local area and offered a secure place for rail users to leave their vehicle for up to 24 hours.
“Arriva Trains Wales has increased tariffs at 11 of our 18 car parks this October from 10p to 30p a day. Considerable savings can be made on parking through purchasing a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual season ticket.
“We have made many improvements to car parking at stations and will shortly be introducing chip and pin payment machines. The majority of our stations have consistently maintained the Park Mark Award, including Shrewsbury,” he added.
By Anna Williams