A consultation has launched on proposals to introduce more parking charges in Cheshire East. 

Cheshire East Council's statutory public consultation, which applies to most council-owned car parks across the borough, runs until 9 October 2024.

It would mean Sandbach residents would pay to park in the evenings, and on Sundays, should the consultation plans come to fruition.

Drivers queue to pay at the Churchill Way Car Park, Macclesfield. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

The council is proposing to extend charges at its car parks to 10pm, and to charge on Sundays – the tariffs for which would be in line with the rates for the rest of the week. 

Currently, paid Cheshire East Council car parks only charge for you to park there from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

However, the Council now seek to change the time you need to pay and display from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

The consultation can be viewed at https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/pdf/car-parks-and-parking/consultations/notice-of-proposal-borough-of-crewe-and-nantwich.pdf

Four extra hours every evening means 24 extra hours of paid car parking in Alsager from Monday to Sunday, and an extra ten hours on Sunday where parking was previously (and is currently until any consultation is approved - or indeed disapproved) free.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, pictured below, 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.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith.

"The related costs are significant and continue to rise. 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, such as highways maintenance, bus services and active travel schemes.

21 Cheshire East Council-owned parking sites are in Macclesfield, 18 of which are paid.

"Therefore, we cannot ignore this option, and so are consulting on the idea."

The consultation follows approval given by the council's highways and transport committee in January this year. 

A final decision on evening and Sunday charging will be subject to the outcome of the consultation. All representations will be considered.

A Cheshire East Council parking ticket issued at Parsonage Street, Macclesfield, last month. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Notices about the proposals are displayed in the council's car parks across Alsager and the borough.

They are also available to view on the council's website. 

Responses to the consultation can be provided by email using 'Variation 12' as the email subject header.

Email [email protected] to respond to the consultation, which you can also read HERE.