TOWN centre traders have slammed Cheshire East Council for introducing parking charges in Congleton at HALF the price of those in Wilmslow.

Parking in Congleton, Sandbach, Alsager, Holmes Chapel and Middlewich will cost as little as £1.50 for up to ten hours.

The cheapest equivalent in Wilmslow town centre is almost double that at £2.90.

The same amount of time in the Spring Street car park, offWater Lane, will cost motorists £4.90.

And Cheshire East has angered traders further by announcing parking would remain free over Christmas "as requested by local people".

Charges will instead come into effect on January 11, 2010.

“From a business group point of view we want a level playing field across Cheshire East,” said Dave Bolton,who is chairman of Wilmslow Business Group and owns The Flower Shop on Water Lane. We'll be unhappy if other towns are given advantages over Wilmslow, it's just not right. Wilmslow contributes a lot to the coffers and we would like to get something back.

“Initially we were told by the council that there would be balanced parking charges throughout Cheshire East. I will be angry if they have gone back on that.”

Short stay shoppers in Congleton will pay as little as 30p for an hour - 25 per cent less than the cheapest Wilmslow fee (40p).

For a stay of up to four hours, they will pay just £1, compared to a cheapest fare in Wilmslow of £2.20.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Liberal Democrat leader on Cheshire East, criticised the "delays" over a Lib Dem call for a free Saturday parking trial.

"We are still waiting to see if it will get the go-ahead. The Cabinet is yet to debate it," he said. "Charges in Wilmslow and Macclesfield have gone up year on year. Parking in the towns have always been regarded as a cash cow."

But Environmental Services Portfolio Holder, Councillor David Brickhill, said: "This will bring the former Congleton Borough Council towns in line with other areas and should have a positive impact on the local economy by freeing up prime spots in central car parks for shoppers."

A CEC spokesman added that charges would come into effect on January 11, 2010 "allowing free parking over the Christmas period as requested by local people during the consultation exercise".