You may have seen on the news, and elsewhere on social media that Shropshire Council are looking at increasing the cost of parking. We at Ludlow Chamber of Trade feel that the latest increase unfairly affects Ludlow due to the following reasons:

* Ludlow is the only town outside of Shrewsbury to be designated 'band 2' for parking charges. This is despite not being the largest (or second largest!) town in Shropshire.

* Ludlow had the highest percentage parking rise in November 2025, higher than Shrewsbury.

*The extension in parking hours (proposal extends to 8pm) will adversely affect our nighttime economy.

...We also have concerns about how the additional money raised will be spent.

Our committee has submitted three Freedom of Information requests to Shropshire Council regarding Ludlow’s parking charges:

1. Parking banding: What evidence and criteria justify Ludlow being in Band 2, when larger market towns such as Bridgnorth and Oswestry have lower charges?

2. Parking revenue and usage: How much income Ludlow’s parking generates, occupancy levels, operating costs and where the revenue is spent?

3. Economic impact: Whether the council has assessed the effects of parking charges on independent businesses, rural shoppers and competition from out-of-town supermarkets offering customer parking.

The aim of these requests is to establish whether the charges are justified by evidence and what consideration has been given to Ludlow’s town centre economy.

What can you do?
Please attend the consultation on 3rd November at Ludlow Assembly Rooms. If you are unable to attend in person you can complete a questionnaire, or email your thoughts to our elected counsellors.

You can read more here: https://getinvolved.shropshire.gov.uk/consultations/shropshire-local-transport-plan/