In September Cheshire East Council announced plans to increases to the borough's parking charges.
With parking charges having only been increased once since Cheshire East was formed in 2009, the Council says the current fees are no longer sustainable as the rate of inflation means that the costs of maintaining, managing and operating car parks has significantly increased.
The proposals include introducing parking charges in three Handforth car parks where parking is currently free.
With the statutory consultation closing tomorrow (1 November), today representatives of Handforth Town Council delivered 354 objections.
These objections have been collected by Handforth Town Councillors over the last 6 weeks following Saturday morning sessions in the Paddock to discuss the Cheshire East proposals with residents.
Ashley Comiskey Dawson, Clerk to Handforth Town Council, said "Not one resident was in favour of these proposals, therefore all the responses collected must be considered objections to the introduction of car parking charges in Handforth."
Below are the Council proposals to introduce parking charges in Handforth
Handforth Library is a short stay car with 46 spaces, including 3 disabled spaces. The maximum duration of stay at Handforth Library car park is proposed to be reduced from 10 hours to 3 hours.
Proposed Tariff
- Up to 1 hour - 60p
- Up to 2 hours - £1Up to 3 hours - £1.50
School Road is a short stay car with 48 spaces, including 1 disabled spaces.
Proposed Tariff
- Up to 1 hour - 80p
- Up to 2 hours - £1.40
- Up to 3 hours - £2
- Up to 4 hours - £2.70
- Up to 6 hours - £3.70
- Up to 10 hours - £4.30
Wilmslow Road is a short stay car with 56 spaces, including 3 disabled spaces.
Proposed Tariff
- Up to 1 hour - 60p
- Up to 2 hours - £1
- Up to 3 hours - £2.30
- Up to 4 hours - £3.30
- Up to 6 hours - £4.40
- Up to 10 hours - £5.20
The parking proposals do not affect Blue Badge holders.
Click here to also view the proposals being put forward for Alderley Edge and Wilmslow.
The outcome of the consultation will be considered by the council's highways and transport committee in January 2024, before any decisions are made.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I have always been proud of the free parking in Handforth as the way ALL towns should be if you want to encourage business growth. It is what sets it apart from places like Wilmslow.
Sarcastic slow hand clap for the councillors!
Regarding Simon Atkins' final comment.
Councillors from Handforth Town Council and both Handforth Ward Councillors have been spending the last 6 Saturday mornings in the Paddock Shopping Centre requesting signatures and support for objections to the proposed parking charges. These 354 individual objections (see photo above) are the result of the councillors hard work.
Are these the councillors deserving a sarcastic slow handclap?
John Smith
Cheshire East Ward Councillor - Handforth