Motorists faced paying to park in council-owned car parks in Sandbach today (Monday) as parking charges came into force.

Sandbach Nub News told here how Cheshire East councillors had voted in favour of introducing car parking charges in towns where it was currently 'free'.

Pay machines are now in council-owned car parks in Sandbach. (Photo: Nub News)

The parking charges came into force in Sandbach, as in other nearby places such as Holmes Chapel and Middlewich, today and it seems the only difference is the paying car parks seemed emptier than normal.

Sandbach is the only Cheshire East town to have two town centre car parks which are 'commonly; owned - ; Scotch Common and Small Common which remain free.

But motorists will have to pay at other car parks in the town which are owned by Cheshire East Council such as Brookhouse Road car park below the Waitrose one.

Nub News spoke to motorists there to find out their reaction to the new charges. We noticed that the car park, which is usually full with cars, had several free spaces and didn't appear as busy as normal.

Sue and Ian Walker, who live in nearby Crewe, had parked up at Brookhouse Road car park this morning to attend a dentist appointment.

Scotch Common car park, which is still free, was packed with cars today. (Photo: Nub News)

"You have to pay everywhere else so it's not too much of a shock. The machines are easy to use and it wasn't too much hassle," said Sue.

Another motorist who didn't want to be named, also agreed that paying a £1 to park while they shopped to buy charging cables wasn't "too much of an inconvenience".

"It seems easier to enough to use the machine," they said.

So it would seem those choosing to pay to park seem to be happy to do so but many motorists are choosing to stay away and find alternative ways of getting into Sandbach.

What do you think? How will the charges impact on your life?

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