HUNDREDS of people marched through the streets of Congleton to protest against parking charges.

Drivers had to pay to park in Congleton for the first time last Monday, after months of campaigning to stop the proposals

About 250 people joined in the march through Congleton on Saturday to complain about the new charges, which have been introduced by Cheshire East Council.

Protesters marched through the town from West Street car park to Antrobus Street, where they staged a short rally.

Along the way, members of action group No2ParkingCharges handed out flyers, calling on people to write and send emails to Wesley Fitzgerald, leader of Cheshire East Council.

Action group member Graeme Goodwin, aged 65, of West Heath, near Congleton, said: "Now we want people to make their feelings known to the leader of the council. We want him to receive so much paperwork he can't possibly ignore us.

"We have had a really good turnout, which shows how strongly people feel about parking charges.

"Now we have got to organise a meeting, which will probably be tomorrow, to decide what to do next.

"The thing that is frustrating people is that Cheshire East Council will not listen to us."

Congleton historian Lyndon Murgatroyd, aged 70, of West Heath, was one of the march leaders. He said: "It is very unusual to see people marching in protest through Congleton. I have never seen anything like this before.

"The attitude of the council is making ordinary people into political activists. Parking charges have been implemented without any real consultation in Congleton.

"People feel they have been ignored by the council."

Drivers now have to pay 50p to park for up to two hours at Chapel Street, Back Park Street, West Street and Park Street.

Charges at Antrobus Street, Princess Street and the Fairground car parks are 30p for up to an hour. Car parks at Blake Street/Edgerton Street, Rood Hill, Royle Street and Thomas Street remain free.

From next month, parking will be decriminalised in the town, which will mean Cheshire East Council will take over responsibility for enforcing parking restrictions from police.

Former Congleton borough councillor and ex-town mayor Louise Beard joined the protest march. She said: "We feel the council has completely ignored the views of this town. The councillors have forgotten they are public servants – they are not listening to the people who elected them.

"This town will become a ghost town, it is an appalling state of affairs."

Margaret Counsell, aged 69, of Tidnock Avenue, Congleton, said: "If I could have a sit-in protest I would, I feel so strongly about it. There should not be parking charges in Congleton."