Group fights 'unlawful' parking fees
CAMPAIGNERS fighting the introduction of pay-and-display parking in four town centres have lodged a complaint with Cheshire East Council.
From January 11, motorists in Congleton, Sandbach, Alsager and Middlewich will have to pay to use previously free car parks.
-
DEALING WITH THE COMPLAINT: Councillor David Brickhill.
Traders and shoppers have fought the plans since they were made public in April.
The No2ParkingCharges group, which has the backing of a 12,000-name petition, says the charges will hit small businesses and result in overspill parking on nearby streets.
Now, the group has made an official complaint to the council on the grounds it has not properly followed the local code and the guidelines issued by the Secretary of State in implementing the charges.
If successful, the introduction of the charges could be suspended, and the entire consultation process repeated.
Group chairman Ian Knowlson said: "We believe Cheshire East Council would be acting unlawfully should it proceed with the introduction of its proposed parking charges in January.
"We believe the council's policy is economically unsustainable in the current economic environment and have respectfully requested that they suspend the introduction of these charges until this can be investigated further."
Under the current plan, motorists will be charged 30 pence for an hour and 50 pence for two hours across most of the area.
Councillor David Brickhill, who is overseeing the scheme, believes the parking charges will be introduced as planned on January 11.
He said: "Once the complaint is received, it will be investigated in a thorough and proper manner."
5 Comments
by Denise, Staffs
Monday, December 07 2009, 7:33PM
“This is hardly wallet-busting, compared to the parking charges in Hanley.”
by Mike, Middlewich
Monday, December 07 2009, 2:59PM
“Whilst I can appreciate the difficult financial position Cheshire East Council faces, the imposition of car parking charges on these small market towns will have a detrimental effect on the local economies. A policy that deters local people from shopping locally will be detrimental to the prosperity of the whole region.”
by Gary, Sandbach
Monday, December 07 2009, 2:08PM
“East Cheshire Council have become complacent and arrogant towards their constituents. Policy is now governed by self serving interests not tax payers interests. I am not a politically motivated person I just know that the current Tory council are not doing their job - vote for someone else - who ever you think will do a better job!! Better still find a Martin Bell type independent to vote for!!”
by Mike, alsager
Monday, December 07 2009, 11:36AM
“All power to the No 2 parking charges group. When will this council have the courage to listen to the people it should represent and drop these proposed charges.Stoke council have recently dropped car parking charges in an effort to encourage trade....!
The main driver is the fear of a backlash from the towns in their control who are already having to pay....Can we have Congleton borough council back please?”
by mike, alsager
Monday, December 07 2009, 11:24AM
“All power to the No2parkingCharges group.
This council does not want to listen to anyone and does not have the courage to admit it has this policy totally wrong.
Council's in Stoke are dropping car parking charges in an effort to encourage trade.. all this lot fear is a backlash from existing towns who already have to pay!
Mr Brickhill is well aware of this situation.”