Telford & Wrekin
On 26th October 2006, Telford & Wrekin Borough Council provided the following information:
1 - There are height restrictions at Station Yard car park in Ironbridge only.
2 - Requirements for parking within bay confines - Coach Bays only.
3 - There are no provisions of toilet and waste disposal facilities.
4 - There are no spaces specifically aimed at motor homes and/or caravans.
5 - There are no provisions for overnight parking.
6 - Restricted access - N/A.
On 16th December 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
The Council operate 32 designated off street parking facilities of which 8 are pay and display. There are no designated areas for motor homes on any of our car parks and the multiple use of parking bays is generally not permitted. 11 of the car parks have height restriction barriers at the entrance and exit points.
Telford & Wrekin Borough Council have further details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Ironbridge
Excellent large car park at the south side of the bridge with a few extra-long spaces. Also, there are large car parks near most of the museums in the area. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 23 December 2007).
Shropshire
Shropshire Council is a unitary authority which came into being on 1st April 2009 when it became responsible for all the county services previously provided by Shropshire County Council and all district services previously provided by Bridgenorth, North Shropshire, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and South Shropshire District Councils.
Shropshire Council have details of park & ride services on their web site Here. The page has links to specific pages for Shrewsbury & Ludlow.
Shropshire Council have details of parking services on their web site Here.
Prior to 1st April 2009, regulation of parking in Shropshire (apart from Telford & Wrekin) was undertaken by a local authority partnership known as Parkright. On 30th June 2008 a message on an Internet forum mentioned that the poster had asked one of the Parkright Civil Enforcement Officers what the policy on motorhomes using the council-owned car parks is and had been told (verbally) that if the motorhome overhangs a parking bay (thus using two bays), it would be perfectly acceptable if the driver buys two tickets. It was not clear whether or not that was the official position or simply one employee's interpretation so an e-mail was sent to Parkright asking for clarification.
A reply was received from Parkright on 1st July 2008 as follows: If the site is suitable for Motorhomes then we are happy to accept payment for the space used. The standard regulation is "must park within the marked out spaces" This can be difficult for motorhomes which are of extended length but if they take up two bays and pay for two bays then no problem. Where Bus parking exists that may also be used by paying the appropriate bus parking fee.
Bridgnorth
On 29th September 2006 Bridgnorth District Council provided a spreadsheet containing car park information. This can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from Here.
The council also provided the following information:
All car parks require vehicles to be parked within the confines of the parking bay.
There is no provision for waste disposal facilities on any of the car parks.
There is no provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes / caravans.
There is no overnight parking allowed.
On 23rd May 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council confirmed that the information above was still valid. They added that the Parking Order allows motorhomes to park but prohibits sleeping and eating on the car parks and that there are height restrictions on the Smithfield car park only.
North Shropshire
On 23rd August 2006 (updated 13 June 2007) North Shropshire Council provided a table of car park details which can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from Here.
Oswestry
On 28th September 2006 Oswestry Borough Council provided the following information:
1) Height restrictions. Generally 2m. No barriers on Craignant or Old Racecourse car parks.
2) Vehicles must be parked within the confines of the parking place and must not exceed 18'. The only provision for using two spaces is for vehicles and detached trailers (defined in sections 20 and 21 of the council's Parking Order, a copy of which was supplied).
3) There is no provision for toilet or waste disposal facilities on any of the Boroughs car parks.
4) There is no provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes / caravans.
5) There is no ban on overnight parking, however there are maximum waiting periods on some of the car parks (schedule to the Parking Order can be accessed in pdf form via the web site - see below - using the General Car Park Information link at the foot of the page). There is however a ban on using a parked vehicle for sleeping, camping or cooking (defined in section 15 a + b of the council's parking order)
6) There are no car parks with restricted access caused by narrow roads / entrances.
On 18th April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
The information supplied in Sept 2006 still applies, including the information regarding height, weight and length limits. However, note the following:-
1)There are 2m height restriction barriers on the Gatacre, Somerfield (Beatrice Street) and Oak Street carparks.
2)The barriers on the Somerfield (Beatrice Street) car park are only in place when the supermarket is closed (i.e. 9.00pm to 8.00am) which means that the car park is acessible to motorhomes during the day. Motorhomes or other vehicles over 2m should ensure that they are off the car park before the supermarket closes or they may find themselves locked in overnight.
3) As previously advised overnight parking is permitted but sleeping, eating and cooking are prohibited.
There is a revised version of the parking regulations which came into force on 1st April and will be available on the Council's website soon. The main changes are regarding tariffs and the new penalty charges in line with recent national legislation.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
(1). I Recently visited Oswestry, albeit by car and parked in Oak Street long stay car park which had height barriers. On looking at the Oswestry council website I found that they list most of their car parks as suitable for vans including Oak Street. I cannot confirm re your information on car parks listed on your website as suitable as I did not check any other car parks. However the parking in this area has recently been contracted out to a private company. I have written to the council asking for clarification and will keep you informed of any reply. My main concern is other people may check the council website and think they have access to a large number of suitable car parks. Thanks to CP for this information, received on 24 June 2007.
(2). I have now received a reply from Oswestry Council but point out that when I visited the road signs showed long and short stay car park signs but no indication which was suitable for me and the van. The council reply states "The Borough Council installed height restrictions on Oak Street car park last year due to problems with Gypsies. We do however have a long stay car park in Oswald Road with no overhead barrier which should be suitable for your purpose. ". Thanks to CP for this information, received on 10 July 2007.
(3). Short term only November 2007? The Central short stay car park has a height barrier but just before it, coming from the A483, is a small retail park where the Focus store is currently closed down. This leaves one end of the retail park's car park virtually unused. About a ten minute walk into the town centre, easy access and we parked there all afternoon with no problems. At the A5, Shrewsbury, roundabout to the South of Oswestry leave the A483 and follow the B4579 into Oswestry for about a mile. The retail park is on the right and Focus is at the end nearest town. Thanks to DW for this information, supplied on 23 November 2007.
Shrewsbury & Atcham
On 26th September 2006, Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions. 2.1mtrs at St Julians Friairs car park
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). All parks.
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. No.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans. No.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. Yes.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. No.
On 31st March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that this information is still current but that the Park & Ride fare for all 3 sites has gone up to £1.20 each return (was £1.00 - see User Comments below)
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Shrewsbury
(1). Re recent discussion on Motor Home Facts Forum re parking in Shrewsbury, this is the message received from the Local Authority: "Follow signs for Shrewsbury and you will pick up signing for Harlescott Park and Ride there is adequate parking on site for your vehicle. Park and ride operates a 10 minute service 07:30 to 18:30 Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:30 on Saturdays. Fare £1 return for adults accompanied under 16's go free.". We followed the advice and found the service excellent and as described. Thanks to GE for this information, received on 28 October 2006.
(2). Take the A5112 south from the island on the A49 and use the Harlescott Park and Ride a little way down on the right (you can’t miss it). There is loads of space and, at the time of writing, it was just £1.00 each for a return ticket into town. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 7 February 2007 - "Personally 'tested' within the last 3 years. Like anything else, changes may have taken place since my visit and charges WILL have risen!").
(3). A new Tesco Extra (due to open April 2007) has been built on the former site of the Harlescott Park & Ride parking area. The P&R has now been moved a little further back onto a newly created area but still uses the same entrance from the A5112. (Thanks to MJH for providing this information on 6 March 2007).
(4) We have a 28ft Odessa plus 8ft box trailer. Shrewsbury, our home town, has 3 permanant and well sign posted park and ride systems. Two have height barriers which the staff will open for you. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 23 March 2007).
(5) We stayed at Ebury Hill C&CC site, NE Shrewsbury last week. P&R still £1 (or £1.50 to hop on and off all day). OK toilets at P&R terminal too. I was advised by the local authority that the two suitable sites for motorhomes are Abbey Foregate (English Bridge) and the equivalent one near the Welsh Bridge (can't remember the name). They recommend using the COACH parking facilities as it is cheaper @ £5.00/day than paying for 2 parking spaces (on my querying this they said it was definitely OK). (Thanks to DL for providing this information on 27 October 2007).
(6) Thanks to AJB for sending this information (received from Shropshire Councty Council) on 7 January 2008. We have had to increase the level of security at each of the park & ride sites including the addition of height restricting barriers. To allow visitors in motorhomes and other tall vehicles to continue to use the sites we have made arrangements with the bus drivers either to open the barriers to allow the vehicles in or to give permission for the vehicles to be parked in the bus parking area. This arrangement should be signed on the entrance to each of the Park & Ride sites however I apologise if this is not clear. We will endeavour to look at how this issue is addressed and look to make the signs more prominent. If you wish to use any of the sites in the future please report your arrival to any of the drivers who will be able to assist. I would suggest that the sites at Meole Brace and Oxon are better suited for parking motorhomes.
(7) Thanks to PS for sending these details of e-mail correspondence with Tesco on 11 May 2009.
From PS to Tesco
I was visiting Shrewsbury for the bank holiday weekend and tried to get in the 'park and ride' adjacent the Tesco store only to find the car park had a 2m high barrier. I had in the past heard that Tesco were motorhome friendly and allowed motor homes to park in their car parks. The car park had numerous signs limiting parking to 2 hours and stating that number plate recognition was used to fine anyone who stayed over 2 hours. As this was operated by a seperate company I did not take up the issue with the store staff and just did our shopping (in Tesco) and left even though we would have liked to leave it there for 4 to 5 hours to visit Shrewsbury. I appreciate that your car parks are not a public facility but it was nowhere near full. I parked out of the way as by necessity the motor home overhangs the parking bays. I can't see what harm I could be doing. Could you let me know what Tesco's policy is and what the situation would be in these circumstances?
Reply to PS from Tesco
Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your email. I'm sorry that you're unhappy because we have limited the time you can park at our Shrewsbury store. We've introduced a time limit on this car park following feedback from our customers. They told us that they found it difficult to find a space during busy periods due to people parking at the store all day. Therefore, to ensure availability of space throughout the day we decided to implement this time limit. I hope you will understand our reasons for doing this and thank you for taking the time to contact me. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me at customer.service@tesco.co.uk.
Follow-up comment from PS
I found out afterwards that if you can drive round the back of Tesco, down the service road you pass down the same road as the buses for the park and ride and can access the car park without barriers.
(8) Thanks to IS for sending these details of e-mail correspondence with Shropshire Council on 24 May 2010.
IS emailed Shropshire about parking in Shrewsbury, as it looked quite motorhome unfriendly, and received the following reply:
Thank you for your enquiry. There is available motorhome parking in Shrewsbury. You can come into town or use the park and ride sites at Harlescott and Oxon.
The Harlescott site is on the north side of town and has height restrictions at the Tesco store entrance but motorhomes can enter via the bus entrance which is past the Tesco and left into Featherbed lane. It is difficult to find if you are a tourist I'm afraid.
The Oxon site is on the Wales side of town and has a similar arrangement.
I would suggest you use the town centre car park at Frankwell. It is a large car park with no height restrictions and you can park all day. It is covenient for the town and costs £3.50 for a stay from 8am until 8pm. You would then need to put a £1.00 ticket on for after 8pm. If your motorhome took up two spaces you would need to double up on these charges.
Postcodes for these carparks are:- Frankwell: SY3 8HQ; Harlescott: SY1 4HA; Oxon: SY3 5AD.
I hope you do visit us and call in to collect a map and any other information, however I attached some information for your use. If we can be of any further assistance please do contact us again.
The information attached was a map which can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from Here.
South Shropshire
On 27th September 2006, South Shropshire District Council stated "Basically the restriction is to the normal size of a parking bay and the weight limit should not exceed 1.5 tons with no overnight parking. Full details are in the South Shropshire District Council (Off-street Parking Places) order 2001 which is currently in the process of being revised with an anticipated relaxation of some of the restrictions.". A hard copy of the order was provided but it is too large to scan and load to this web site.
Update 24 July 2007:
Some time after the initial reply from South Shropshire District Council above it came to my notice that many other vehicles (e.g. large 4x4s) weigh in excess of 1.5 tons (some of the largest 4x4s even being heavier than many motorhomes). A further request for information was sent to the council asking for clarification. In response the council stated "The current South Shropshire Off-Street Parking (Places) order does contain a 1525 Kilo vehicle limit (except where parking of coaches, lorries and other commercial vehicles is permitted- principally at the Smithfield, Lower Galdeford, Ludlow location). The point made with regard to some of the largest 4x4s even being heavier than many motorhomes is noted. Moreover the point is accepted and the weight restriction will be reviewed when the Order is next updated. My information is that enforcement in relation to weight limit restrictions by ParkRight is 'tolerant' provided there is no clearly unacceptable breach of the off-street regulations."
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Ludlow
(1). The most suitable car park for motorhomes in Ludlow is the Lower Galdeford one (pronounced Jailford) as it has long bays for trucks and coaches. Thanks to VirgiltraceyFAB for this information, received on 24 October 2006. Update from Virgil on 17 February 2007 (to avoid any confusion) - the car park known by locals as Lower Galdeford (Jailford) is officially known as Smithfield car park.
(2). The council suggested we use the Smithfield car park. I couldn’t find this on the map but if you enter the town from the east on Sheet Road you will find it on the left after you have passed under the railway bridge. All they ask is that, if you overlap two spaces you should pay for two spaces – fair enough! Don’t use the coach or lorry area without specific permission as the charge for that area is much higher. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 7 February 2007 - "Personally 'tested' within the last 3 years. Like anything else, changes may have taken place since my visit and charges WILL have risen!").
(3). A Park & Ride scheme was introduced during 2006. The parking area is on the east side of the A49 by-pass about half way round at the junction with Sheet Road. (OS Map Ref: SO 528 743). (Thanks to MJH for providing this information on 6 March 2007).
Return to Motorhome Friendly and Unfriendly Parking home page.
Last updated: 24 May 2010