Bridgnorth resident parking permit proposal

Introduction

Shropshire Council is undergoing a consultation on a refresh of the residents permit parking scheme in Bridgnorth. Parking for residents, businesses and shoppers is strained on these narrow, historic streets and a rethink is required on how space is allocated to ensure fair and equitable parking provision. As part of the draft proposal, a new digital permit system will be introduced also. The consultation will run from Friday 10 July until 5pm on 31 July 2026.

Overview

Residents permit parking schemes have operated within Bridgnorth for many years and have evolved incrementally through a series of individual street schemes and groups of streets. Whilst these arrangements have provided valuable parking protection for residents, they have resulted in inconsistencies in permit entitlement, scheme administration, and parking opportunities across the town.

Significant work has previously been undertaken to review the existing arrangements, including informal consultation, formal consultation, parking surveys and engagement with local members. However, the review process was not completed, and the proposed changes were not implemented.

Since that time, there have been changes in council administration, local member representation and local parking demands. Shropshire Council therefore consider it appropriate to recommence the review process to ensure any future scheme reflects current resident needs and member priorities while building upon the considerable work already undertaken.

The proposed review seeks to replace the existing collection of street-based permit schemes with three core resident parking zones across Bridgnorth. This approach would provide greater flexibility for residents, improve utilisation of available on-street parking space and create a simpler and more consistent parking framework.

The proposal also presents an opportunity to address areas currently located between existing schemes, where residents experience parking pressures but receive limited or no resident parking protection.

Consultation feedback previously identified some resident concerns regarding a previously proposed one-permit-per-household model. Whilst parking capacity assessments indicate that all areas would support only one permit per household based upon available ratio of properties divided by available highway space. The council's Resident Parking Policy provides flexibility for a two-permit scheme where local members support the approach and more than 51% of residents favour it.

Shropshire Council recognises that many households rely on more than one vehicle due to employment, shift work, caring responsibilities, and modern travel patterns. In practical terms, parking demand fluctuates throughout the day and week, meaning available capacity often exists despite theoretical parking demand exceeding available space.

The review also provides an opportunity to modernise the current paper permit system. The existing arrangements are resource-intensive, vulnerable to misuse and increasingly costly to administer. Moving to a digital permit platform would reduce fraud, improve customer service, increase enforcement efficiency, and release officer resources to focus on other priorities.

Shropshire Council believes the proposed changes represent a balanced and practical solution that reflects policy requirements, resident feedback, parking demand and operational efficiency.

Proposed zonal scheme

Officers propose replacing the collection of individual street-based schemes with three core permit parking zones.

This approach would:

Simplify scheme administration
Improve consistency across Bridgnorth
Provide greater flexibility for residents
Support more efficient enforcement
Improve equality and utilisation of available parking spaces

St Leonards Steps

St Leonards Steps occupies a unique position between two proposed permit zones.

Recognising this circumstance, officers propose that residents of St Leonards Steps be permitted to select one of the zones that best suits their individual needs and parking requirements.

This flexible approach acknowledges the location of the street/steps whilst maintaining the integrity of the wider permit parking scheme.

Frequently asked questions

Our FAQs provide answers to common questions about the proposed resident parking scheme consultation. It's intended to help residents, businesses and other stakeholders understand why the scheme is being considered, how it would operate, and how feedback will be used before any decision is made.

How the scheme would work

1. What is a resident parking scheme?

A resident parking scheme uses parking restrictions and permits to manage on-street parking in a defined area. During the controlled hours, vehicles normally need a valid permit, visitor permit or exemption to park in marked permit bays or within the signed permit zone.

2. Does a permit guarantee a parking space?

No. A permit allows a vehicle to park within the relevant permit area where space is available, but it does not guarantee a space outside a particular property or on a specific street.

3. What days and times would the restrictions apply?

The days and times have not yet been proposed. These may be designed to address specific parking pressures, such as all-day commuter parking, school-related parking or evening and weekend demand. Feedback on the proposed hours is welcomed.

4. Which streets would be included?

The consultation plan will show the proposed scheme boundary and the streets included. The final area may be amended following consultation if evidence shows that changes are needed to reflect local parking patterns, access needs or displacement risks.

About the consultation

5. Why is a resident parking scheme being considered?

A resident parking scheme is being considered because concerns have been raised about parking pressure in the area. This may include long-stay commuter parking, parking linked to nearby shops, schools, workplaces, or difficulty for residents and their visitors finding a space close to their home.

6. What is the purpose of the consultation?

The consultation is an opportunity for residents and businesses within the identified areas to comment on whether parking controls are needed, what type of controls may be appropriate, which streets should be included, and what days and times any restrictions should apply. No final decision will be made until consultation responses have been reviewed.

7. My street already has a resident parking scheme. Will that change?

The proposal is to remove the current scheme and introduce three new zones. This will allow the council to operate the schemes more effectively and will allow residents the opportunity of a wider area to park within. All properties within a current scheme would still be part of a residents parking scheme.

8. Who can take part in the consultation?

Residents, businesses, local organisations, visitors and anyone else who may be affected by the proposals can take part. Particular weight will usually be given to the views of people living or operating within the proposed scheme area, as they are most directly affected.

Permits and eligibility

9. Who would be eligible for a resident permit?

Eligibility would normally be limited to residents living within the approved scheme area who can provide proof of address and vehicle ownership, use or responsibility. Full eligibility criteria would be confirmed before any scheme is introduced.

10. How many permits could each household apply for?

Residents will be able to apply for a maximum of two permits per household. Permits will only be issued against vehicles registered to the property,

11. How much will permits cost?

Resident permits will change from paper to a virtual permit. The cost will be £100 per permit.

12. How would visitor parking work?

Each property will be eligible for up to 200 hours per annum. This allows residents to create visitor stays in one-hour segments to meet their individual needs.

13. What about carers, health workers or support services?

Arrangements for carers, medical professionals and support workers would be considered as part of the scheme design. Depending on local policy, this may include visitor permits, essential user permits or other exemptions.

14. Do Blue Badge holders need a permit?

Blue Badge parking rights depend on the type of restriction and local scheme rules. The consultation material should explain how Blue Badge holders would be accommodated, including whether a permit is required for parking in resident permit bays.

15. What if I have a company vehicle, lease vehicle or hire vehicle?

Residents using company, lease or hire vehicles may still be able to apply for a permit, subject to providing suitable evidence that the vehicle is kept and used by the resident at the eligible address.

Costs, enforcement and fairness

16. Would residents have to pay for permits?

Permit charges, if applicable, would be set in accordance with the council’s approved fees and charges. Charges are typically used to help cover the cost of administering, operating and enforcing the scheme.

17. Is the scheme intended to make money?

No. The purpose of a resident parking scheme is to manage parking demand and improve access for residents and their visitors. Any permit income and enforcement income must be managed in line with relevant legislation and council policy.

18. How would the scheme be enforced?

If introduced, the scheme would be enforced by civil enforcement officers. Vehicles parked in contravention of the restrictions during controlled hours may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

19. What happens to parking on nearby streets?

Parking controls can sometimes move parking pressure into neighbouring streets. The consultation will consider whether the proposed area is appropriate and whether any changes are needed to reduce the risk of displacement.

Decision-making and next steps

20. How will consultation responses be used?

Responses will be reviewed alongside, safety considerations, access requirements, equality considerations, deliverability and council policy. The outcome may be to proceed, amend the proposal, carry out further engagement or not progress the scheme.

21. Will there be another opportunity to comment?

If the council decides to progress the scheme, a formal statutory process will be required before restrictions can be introduced. This would include publication of a Traffic Regulation Order proposal and a further opportunity to submit representations or objections.

However, the purpose of an informal consultation and workshop is to try and ascertain any concerns or questions to mitigate any problems at the time of formal consultation.

22. When would the scheme be introduced?

A final decision on whether the proposed scheme is introduced will not be made until the consultation has been completed, responses have been considered, and the statutory process (also known as the formal consultation) has been undertaken. If a decision is made to proceed with the implementation of the proposed scheme, residents would be given information on permit applications, start dates and enforcement arrangements before the scheme begins.

23. How can I respond to the consultation?

Details of how to respond will be provided in the consultation materials. This may include an online survey, written response, email address or postal option. Responses should be submitted by the stated deadline so they can be considered before any decision is made.