Sandbach Town Council is writing to Cheshire East Council to say they are against car parking charges being introduced in the town.

Last night (Monday), a meeting of councillors was held at Sandbach Town Hall to formulate a response to Cheshire East Council.

And protesters from a campaign group, Action Against Cheshire East Parking Charges - Sandbach, stood outside the town hall last night to voice their thoughts.

Just days earlier, they had taken part in a peaceful protest as we revealed here  from The Cobbles to Westfields, Cheshire's East's headquarters in Sandbach.

Action Against Cheshire East Parking Charges - Sandbach protesters last night. (Photo: Deborah Bowyer, Sandbach Nub News),

One of the councillors at last night's town council meeting, Cllr Simon Richards, said it was really positive to see councillors working together for the common good.

"We all agree on the broad strokes – Sandbach Town Council strongly opposes parking charges," he said.

"It was fantastic to speak to the protesters outside the meeting and get some additional ideas on how to best mitigate the impact of charges on the businesses of Sandbach."

"…It's a great example of democracy in action."

Another town councillor at last night's meeting, Cllr John Arnold, said the contents of Sandbach Town Council's response email to Cheshire East would be made public within the next couple of days.

Action Against Cheshire East Parking Charges - Sandbach protesters last night. (Photo: Deborah Bowyer, Sandbach Nub News),

"Nothing was held behind closed doors and campaigners came into the meeting. We are unanimous in our response that we don't want parking charges introduced," said Cllr Arnold.

"However, we are also going to ask for mitigating circumstances should this unfortunately happen.

"These include half an hour free parking for school pick-up and drop-off times and free parking on significant days such as the Christmas Market and big events in the town."  

Members of the Action Against Cheshire East Parking Charges – Sandbach, are meeting with town councillors again on Thursday (October 19th) at Elworth Cricket Club. 

The consultation process finishes on November 1st. Email your views to [email protected]