NEW charges at town centre car parks has led to residential streets being clogged up with workers' and shoppers' cars.

The pay-and-display parking, which has been operating on some car parks in Congleton town centre for more than two weeks, has sparked chaos on side roads as shoppers and workers try to avoid paying.

A public meeting organised by campaign group No 2 Parking Charges was held at the New Life Church, in Congleton, last night to address residents' concerns.

It followed hundreds of campaigners marching through the town centre last month to try to force Cheshire East Council to scrap the charges.

James Yates, aged 32, of Antrobus Street, said: "There have always been parking problems along this street, but never as bad as this.

"It has definitely got worse since charges were introduced. Workers leave their cars here all day and it empties at 5pm.

"It has been horrendous. We haven't dared go out in the car sometimes, because we know the space will be gone when we get back.

"Shoppers park there as well. It is people who don't want to pay on the car parks.

"I work shifts at Siemans in Congleton and no matter what time I come home I struggle to get a space.

"Some are having to pay to park on car parks because they cannot get a space outside their homes."

He said residents on Antrobus Street, Holford Street, North Street, South Street and River Street had received consultation letters from Cheshire East Council asking their opinion on introducing residents' permits, which would cost £50 a year.

He added: "I would support residents' parking permits, as long as the price didn't start to creep up once it was introduced. Not everyone would be able to afford it."

Helen Cooper, aged 45, from Scholar Green, works part-time at The Potting Shed flower shop in the town centre, said: "I am only working here for another two weeks as the shop is closing so it will not affect me in the long run, but it will affect the rest of the town.

"I am having to pay £1.50 a day on the car parks. For people who work full-time it will add up to quite a lot of money. But if they park on the side roads it is a headache for residents."

The charges were introduced to bring the former Congleton borough in line with Macclesfield, Crewe and Nantwich, which were brought together when Cheshire East Council formed last year.

Parking charges in Sandbach will not be introduced until legal issues surrounding ownership of the Commons car park are resolved.

In Alsager, car parking charges will be reviewed on the completion of a new Co-op development and in Holmes Chapel and Middlewich, car parking will remain free and the need for further control monitored.