Labour/Independent-led Cheshire East Council has now launched a consultation on proposals to introduce evening and Sunday parking charges across the Borough. Cheshire East Council’s statutory public consultation, which applies to most council-owned car parks across the borough, runs until 9 October 2024.
The council aims to extend charges at its car parks from 6.00pm to 10pm, and to charge on Sundays – the charges for which would be in line with the rates for the rest of the week.
The Independent Chairman of the Highways & Transport Committee Mark Goldsmith (Wilmslow West & Chorley) admitted that:
“As a council, we are facing huge financial challenges – with a forecast funding gap of £100m over the next four years. The proposals we are now consulting on will help to reduce some of that financial burden. It could potentially provide up to £2m over the next 4 years to support other council services”
Since forming a coalition in 2019, the Labour/Independent Administration have racked up a Special Needs DSG Debt that at nearly £80m (and rising), is more than the eight surrounding Local Authorities combined! When considered against a further £100m shortfall predicted over the next 4 years, CEC’s financial situation is precarious.
Whilst £2m extra income is attractive to Cllr Goldsmith and his Administration Colleagues, it must be remembered that there are likely to be significant unintended consequences.
Raising Car Park charges yet again will impact on the pockets of those least able to afford yet another burden on their household incomes.
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It has a disproportionate impact on rural communities in Cheshire East, which have very poor access to public transport and where for many, walking or cycling are unviable options. Cars and places to park them, are often a necessity not an optional extra.
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Let’s not forget that car parks are located at essential destination points; towns, shops, tourist attractions and close to places of employment, entertainment or worship.
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The potential impacts on the Borough’s retail and night-time economy, on the cost of a day out, taking the children to school, or simply going to Church on a Sunday may be significant in both social and in fiscal terms.
This proposal is ill thought through and represents a potential loss to local businesses, (thus indirectly to the Council) in footfall, revenue, fiscal viability and to CE Residents, that far outweigh any proposed £2m benefit.
Let CEC know what you think about these proposals:
To respond to the consultation, email
[email protected]
and use ‘Variation 12’ as the email subject header.
OR
Provide your comments by writing to:
Parking Services Manager, Cheshire East Council, Delamere House, Delamere Street, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 2JZ,
using ‘Variation 12’ as the letter reference.
Ref:
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_informati…
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/pdf/car-parks-and-parking/consultations…
