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.

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."