THE decision to put number plate cameras into Central Car Park is to fight anti-social behaviour and not raise prices, councillors have promised.

Oswestry Town Council will place cameras at the entrance and exit for the car park at a cost of around £7,000 after a vote at last Wednesday’s full monthly meeting.

Councillors voted unanimously to give the purchase of the cameras their full support in a bid to put an end to ‘boy racers’ using the car park as a rat run.

Councillor Mike Isherwood welcomed the plans and said he wants residents in Oswestry the reasoning behind buying the cameras.

He said: “I welcome this and it will be a welcome addition to tackling the social impact on the nearby residents.

“I would ask we state clearly to the public that it’s not a price rise and are solely for assisting in reducing anti-social behaviour – not for snooping on or fining people.”

He was supported by Cllr Les Maguire.

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He said: “I support this for the right reasons and have had questions about whether we can reduce anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Paul Milner backed the plan too and added that he hoped for a positive outcome, including co-operation with West Mercia Police to successfully prosecute any repeat offenders identified by the date obtained.

He said: “I really hope this works as it’s been going on since 2004.

“The main thing is we need the backing of the police to crack down on this and use the information we’re paying to gather for them.”

The cameras were also supported by a nearby residents association. 

Meanwhile, councillors have called for any new occupant of the former Morrisons building in Beatrice Street to consider keeping its gates open overnight for nearby resident parking.

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This was in response to the consultation launched last week by Shropshire Council over the removal of parking restrictions for the car park, which would allow any new tenants to attract customers with free parking.

Cllr Jay Moore asked for information on who the company is but Cllr Duncan Kerr added the information will only announced by Shropshire Council.

Councillors were also informed that their previous objections to a house of multiple occupancy in 13-17 Oswald Road, which has now gone to appeal, will be re-submitted to the housing minister.

Cllr Isherwood was also re-appointed as chairman of the planning and development committee.