Call for better deal on parking charges
TRADERS and shoppers took to the streets in a campaign to cut parking charges in their town centre.
They are furious that motorists in Crewe are charged 70p-an-hour to park – more than in neighbouring Macclesfield and Congleton.
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ON THE MARCH: Protesters march through Crewe town centre to make a stand against charges on Saturday. Below, Jill Lucas, aged 57, from Crewe, has her say. Pictures: Cara Edgington
Dozens of shoppers and traders marched through Crewe town centre on Saturday to try to persuade Cheshire East Council to lower the charges.
It came as the council introduced free Sunday parking in Crewe from yesterday.
Shopper Doreen Darlington, aged 65, of Fuller Drive, Crewe, said: "I am disgusted with the parking charges.
"They just keep putting them up and I want to know where all that money goes.
"We have not seen any improvements in Crewe.
"I come into town to do the shopping every week and over a year, that's a lot of money to pay when parking is free in other towns.
"The charges are killing the town centre because shoppers are going elsewhere and I don't blame them.
"I often see car parks in and around Crewe nearly empty on a Saturday and that's not a good sign in times like this."
Pay-and-display parking was introduced in Congleton for the first time last month. But it still remains free to park in Sandbach and Alsager.
Steve Hogben, aged 57, of Salisbury Avenue, Crewe, said: "Cheshire East Council said it would harmonise the parking charges but we are paying 70p-an-hour in Crewe while people in Congleton only have to pay 30p at the minute and shoppers in Alsager don't have to pay at all. The system is unfair.
"Crewe has some of the poorest areas in the borough but the charges are highest here."
Bruce Lucas, aged 59, of Manor Way, Crewe, said: "Cheshire East Council promised to equalise the parking charges and I want to see it happen. I have a blue badge so I don't actually pay for parking but I am so angry at the unfair way Crewe people are being treated and that's why I had to take part in the protest.
"Crewe is always seen as the poor relation and we want some sense of justice from all this."
Shoppers who fail to comply with parking charges in Crewe face a penalty fine of either £70 or £50 depending upon the contravention.
2 Comments
by Andy Johnson, Penkhull - Stoke on Trent
Monday, March 15 2010, 4:38PM
“I fully agree with you Rob. I personally do not recall the last time I visited Henley and paid for parking. you can just as easily park at Staples/ Sainsbury's and a 2 min walk and your there - free parking. I also visit Trentham as there is no parking charge there or Nantwich which is alot cheaper to park than crew or Hanley. All you have to do is take a few footsteps ( i am sure we can all manage that)!”
by Rob, Stoke
Monday, March 15 2010, 3:31PM
“These people want to think themselves lucky they don't live and work in Stoke, where we are charged £1.40 an hour, not there measly 70p.
People should stay away from town centre's and their rip off charges, I now only shop where the parking is free, if more people voted with their feet, then councils will have to act.
It is now over 2 years since I last went to Hanley to shop, I either go Festival Park, take the train to Brum or Manchester or drive Cheshire Oaks, I know I am giving business to other councils but I will not be ripped off.”