Boost for towns as Cheshire East Council extends free parking

 

Motorists will enjoy free car parking in three more towns as part of a new initiative by Cheshire East Council.

From this week, parking on three car parks in the towns of Congleton, Macclesfield and Wilmslow will go free of charge.

This follows on from the suspension of charges on Thomas Street car park, in Crewe, towards the end of last year.

The latest car parks to have parking charges suspended are:

● Park Street, Congleton;

● Hibel Road, Macclesfield; and

● Remenham/Chapel Street, Wilmslow.

As with Thomas Street, these car parks are located outside the main town centres and offer parking for longer-stay visitors without ‘blocking’ parking bays needed for town centre customers.

In each case, the car parks are currently not heavily used and, therefore, charging has not been effective in covering operating costs. 

Because of their location, suspension of charges on these car parks should help release pressure on central car parks.

Cheshire East will monitor the results of this suspension, especially on the usage of other car parks in each town, on a monthly basis.

Councillor David Topping, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of environment, said: “I am pleased to announce the extension of this initiative, which is designed to help our businesses during what I realise are difficult trading conditions on the high street.

“We also want residents to have the opportunity to spend time in their local town without having to pay for parking. I hope that our motorists and businesses will notice the difference and feel the benefit.”

Cheshire East also currently offers parking free of charge after 3pm each day on seven car parks across the Borough.