RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on council plans to introduce charges at some of its free car parks.

This is one of four key initiatives Cheshire East Council wants to implement as it looks to generate more income, with expected financial pressures of £12.8 million against its 2023/24 budget set to be reported.

Other measures include raising the parking charges ar some car parks in line with inflation; reducing charges at others due to usage and location; and make changes to the limited waiting bay periods at certain on-street locations.

Blue badge holders are not affected by the proposals.

Now a statutory consultation has launched seeking the views of residents across the borough and will run for six weeks before closing on November 1.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader and chairman of the council’s highways and transport committee, said: "The inherited legacy where some residents pay to park and others do not has caused a sense of unfairness.

"The council is proposing to address this imbalance – taking into account each town’s characteristics – while also responding to the higher costs of maintaining our car parks, which require regular resurfacing, improved lighting and markings and the installation of EV charging points.

"It is important to us that we get as much feedback as possible to these proposals and I hope our residents, and businesses, will take this opportunity to feed into this consultation."

A council spokesman added: "Parking charges have only been increased once since Cheshire East was formed in 2009.

"This is no longer sustainable as the rate of inflation means that the costs of maintaining, managing and operating car parks has significantly increased.

"Parking income can help to support other services in the borough – ranging from highway improvements, subsidised bus services and active travel schemes."

The council will assess the likelihood of parked cars being displaced from car parks and will develop options to mitigate these impacts.

The outcome of the consultation will be considered by the council’s highways and transport committee in January 2024, before any decisions are made.

You can view the proposals in more details via: cheshireeast.gov.uk/parking_consultation

The proposals can also be viewed at a local library, however an appointment must be made.

Representations must be emailed to: carparksreview2023@cheshireeast.gov.uk or alternatively, written and sent to Parking Services Manager, Cheshire East Council, Delamere House, Delamere Street, Crewe, CW1 2LL.