WILMSLOW traders have slammed Cheshire East Council’s ‘unfair’ decision NOT to introduce parking charges in neighbouring towns.
Despite claims there will be parking ‘harmonisation’ CEC bosses announced last week that car park charges would not be imposed on shoppers in Sandbach, Alsager or Holmes Chapel, when charges begin in Congleton town centre next month.
And struggling Wilmslow traders say the decision is bad for business.
They told the Express they fear the move could see even more shoppers avoiding the town, knowing they could get free parking elsewhere.
Paul Harrison, director of Norton Barrie, on Water Lane, said: "People are going to stop coming here and go to the other towns where they can park up for as long as they like and for free. We are in disagreement with the council over this."
Gary Lyons, 24, relief manager at Timpson, on Grove Street, added: "Everyone moans about the parking. It’s not right that other towns don’t have to pay and we do."
Last week’s announcement - which followed consultation with residents and traders in the former borough of Congleton – confirmed that charges would be introduced in seven car parks in Congleton town centre on February 15.
Opposition leader on Cheshire East, Coun Ainsley Arnold, said the campaign against charges in other towns had been "vociferous".
"There hasn’t been that level of opposition (in Wilmslow). People have become used to regular increases and any opposition has been ignored - more people need to write in. People need to voice their concerns. We are putting harmonising charges on the back burner again and more shops are closing. Cheshire East is deferring, to bury the subject - hoping it will run out of steam."
Council leader Wesley Fitzgerald said that retail demand and CEC land use in towns like Alsager and Holmes Chapel did not require charges, and harmonisation would be phase two of its car parking strategy.
