Cheshire East Council is proposing changes to the current parking provisions in four of the town centre car parks.
The proposals are to increase the maximum stay at Spring Street car park, off Water Lane, from 12 to 15 hours to try and alleviate issues of commuter parking.
They also propose to allow for the combined ticket use for the Rex car park and Hooper's car park in response to requests from residents who have purchased a pay and display ticket at one of these car parks but then only been able to find a space in the other car park. Under the existing parking order, people would receive a parking fine for this as it's a non-transferable ticket. The proposal would resolve the issue and enable motorists to buy a ticket from any machine.
Additionally, the Council is proposing, in response to a request from Everybody Sport & Recreation (ESAR), to amend the permitted hours and tariff at the Wilmslow Leisure car park to a single tariff for a maximum stay of three hours. The cost for parking up to 3 hours would be at the current 2 hour rate of £1 and the 2 – 5 hour tariff of £3.40 would be removed.
ESAR, who directly manages and operates the Wilmslow car park, is requesting action to alleviate pressure on the car park and free up spaces for leisure users, following a number of complaints.
These proposed amendments were approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Member Leader of the Council, held on Monday 22nd February, so residents are now being consulted. Notices will be put up in all of the affected car parks, asking for their views.
The proposed variations are intended to come into force on 1st April 2016.
Any objection or other representation relating to the proposed variations should be made in writing. All objections must specify the grounds on which they are made. Objections and other representations should be sent, marked for the attention of Mr Mark Wheelton, Corporate Commissioning Manager/Leisure c/o 2nd Floor, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 1HZ or sent by email to [email protected] entitled "Variation to the Car Parks Order" to arrive no later than 18th March 2016.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The simple Problem is there are not enough spaces and no budget to create more
The changes mentioned for Spring Street are pointless as this car park is full during the day due to recent office moves - so increasing the time limit for commuters only creates another problem - no space for shoppers or workers. and why are we trying to help commuters who use Wilmslow as a car park - surely the railway company should be providing adequate parking?
People who work in the centre of Wilmslow now park as far away as Buckingham Road and walk into work, (due to the residential restrictions nearer the centre). Creating issues for local residents and also adds to traffic problems - the top of Buckingham Road is full of parked cars during the week restricting entry - which cannot be safe.
I wish I had answers - I recently met with our local councillor and the town centre manager and the person in charge of car parks and the outcome was "the car parks are full" and we need more spaces - but have no resources to do anything.
If anyone has a genius idea let us know Wilmslow PLEASE !
Surely this could be better managed. We also know many people will not come into Wilmslow to shop because of the lack of parking. We desperately need more parking. Local traders will find it impossible to continue to trade if there are no customers and if something is not done soon, Wilmslow town centre will become a ghost town.
The point about People Parking on Buckingham Road is more about road safely and the fact that they have to, for low paid workers the cost of parking in Wilmslow is well over £1,000 a year which on minimum wage is a massive burden.
Also working all day and having to walk in the cold and rain is not ideal and puts people off working in Wilmslow, especially when they can work at an out of town shopping centre with adequate parking.
We need great staff and great shops in Wilmslow - to make the town great
PS Simon whats your solution to the parking ?
James
Andrew - parking tickets have always been marked Rex or Hoopers and also Sainsburys.
Great Ideas
Keep then coming people!!!!
I will pass on to the parking managers and our local Councillor
James
Unfortunately the carpet was firmly pulled over the various councils eyes years ago and space for town centre parking for workers was built on. Just do a small tour of our old pal Pete's various offices and spot the parking which has to be rented separately if it is there at all. The Royal London site would make a good commuters' carparks but houses make much more money for all concerned with no benefit whatsoever for existing residents.
Some of you guys make it so easy for them -- objections that have genuine facts and reason behind them just get lost in the all stuff that is so so easy for them to dismiss.
Remember a lot of people who live in Wilmslow commute to another location
(probably using Broadheath Meadow to park to catch the train)
And a lot people who work in Wilmslow commute here
I have workers from Irlam, Stockport and Knutsford - who rely on car and the train & bike
I could not find local workers, unfortunately footballers wife don't need jobs - I am joking :-)
Seriously most people travel to find work as it's not on their doorstep
Solutions are never easy
- we could look to the train companies to provide spaces for commuters
- Park and Ride is a great idea
- more car share promotion for the major employers like the ICO
- lower bus fares for local workers
There is an answer out there Wilmslow
- Not all roads can have paths along them accessible to everyone. Nobody in their right mind would take a pushchair down the hill on Adlington Road to the Bollin. Where would they be going? Any of the paths they get to at bottom of the hill by the bridge are completely unsuitable for pushchairs and buggies... largely unpaved and with steps and styles etc. So that's a total non problem.
- Why fixate on one particular way of walking from there? It's not a sensible or logical route into town so we can discount that. If it's countryside you are looking for, you can get to public footpaths and quiet lanes in several other directions without going down this narrow path, so again that's not really an issue, and plenty of places for dog walkers to go.
- You can't simultaneously want countryside and want to sanitise it. Country roads don't generally have good footpaths.
There were many good substantial reasons not to develop at Adlington Road, but fixating on these total non issues just weakens the case against by making those opposing look petty.
It's the same with the Handforth Dean development - there are people on here banging on and on about there being no pedestrian or cycle access and how they'll all die cycling up the A34, when it's been proved there are perfectly fine ways to get there on cycle or foot. However, that doesn't fit their narrative so they ignore it, and then seem to think quantity of objections is better than quality.
What about a driveway parking scheme? If it was simple to sign up to, then perhaps some residents who live close to the town centre might be willing to offer a space on their driveway for a small fee. Might help to free up a few spaces taken up by all day parkers. Just a thought.
http://www.parkonmydrive.com
They work well in London....