New parking law tariffs could be rolled out to plug 'significant and rising' £100million funding gap
The new parking chargers could come into effect in January 2025
PA
Drivers have been left furious over a local council's plan to scrap free parking in a bid to raise millions of pounds.
Cheshire East Council revealed its plan to cancel the parking offer on Sundays, which covers most council-owned car parks across the borough.
The proposal would affect more than 400,000 locals living in the area who benefit from the free parking measures.
As the council looks to start imposing charges to help bridge a £100million funding gap, this would mean expensive new parking tariffs.
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Parking would help fill the £100million council spending black hole
PAThe suggested tariffs would also introduce evening parking charges between 6pm and 10pmand new costs on Sundays to help bring parking in line with other rates for the rest of the week.
Councillor Mark Goldsmith said: “All our car parks need maintenance, management, and enforcement and the financial impact of this doesn’t pause after a certain time or on Sundays.
“The related costs are significant and continue to rise. As a council, we are facing huge financial challenges – with a forecast funding gap of £100million over the next four years.
“The proposals we are now consulting on will help to reduce some of that financial burden.”
He added that new measures could also provide up to £2million over the next four years to support other council services, such as highway maintenance, bus services and active travel schemes.
“Therefore, we cannot ignore this option, and so are consulting on the idea,” the Councillor for Wilmslow West and Chorley stated.
The council is leading a consultation on the proposal which will run until October 9 and, if successful, will begin charging in January.
Official council documents detailed: “It is considered that the proposals will generally assist in securing the safer movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the provision of suitable and adequate parking facilities off the highway.
“The proposals aim to influence travel choices and encourage shorter trips to be completed by walking, cycling and public transport (where possible).”
It also stated that the new parking measures will help with the council’s ambition of being carbon neutral by 2027 and for the borough to be carbon neutral by 2045.
But the suggested parking charges have already been hit with anger with one person sharing: “Absolutely fuming by this. It makes no economic sense as people simply won’t come into town on evenings and weekends so the local economy will collapse, and their car parks will be more empty.”
Posting on social media, someone else shared: “These actions clearly do not prioritisewhat’s best for residents or local traders.
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Council plans to charge on Sundays and in evenings
GETTY“Has any thought been given to the impact these additional charges will have on trade in the town? How much business will be diverted to other centres? My guess is that the loss of trade could easily exceed £2million over the next four years."
Someone else commented: “How much spare money does the council think we all have?! They are definitely barking up the wrong tree.”