Council to reintroduce parking fees

aa9c56a4bbb97dba1c62bd9dd01662e1

Cheshire East Council is to reintroduce parking charges across the borough from Monday, 15th June to coincide with the government plans to re-open highstreets

Parking charges have been suspended in Cheshire East since 27th March following a council decision to support keyworkers to assist in the response to control the virus.

Parking meters will be un-bagged, and enforcement will begin on Cheshire East owned carparks from Monday, 15th June, alongside on-street enforcement patrols.

Councillor Laura Crane, portfolio holder for parking at Cheshire East Council, said: "I would like to thank all our keyworkers across Cheshire East for their continued work during the Coronavirus pandemic.

"As government restrictions ease, our main aim is to protect people and support our local businesses and the economy. Each measure we re-introduce is a balance between maintaining access and creating enough space for shoppers and visitors to observe 'social distancing' when in town.

"We are also mindful of the local environment and encourage, where possible, people to walk and cycle to their local high street – which is good for the environment and people's health and wellbeing.

"Decisions like these are difficult and can be deeply emotive and unpopular but it is our responsibility to ensure that there is a good turnaround of spaces for visitors and shoppers and that our car parks are safe, secure and well maintained.

"Protecting our business economy and keeping people safe as lockdown restrictions are lifted by government, are priorities for us and these parking measures will be reviewed where necessary. We will also be supporting businesses with additional information and guidance as government moves to lift their restrictions."

Signage will be displayed at carparks to encourage contactless payments as cash payments will not be accepted on the majority of car parks and Ringo, an online smartphone app will be available for people to pay for their parking, for people to avoid any contact with the parking machines.

Where Ringo cannot be used, the council recommends the public uses appropriate measures to reduce the risk of Covid19 by, for example, using a covered pen, or gloves to input a licence plate number into a machine and, using the contactless payment option.

After using a machine, the government continues to remind the public that regular hand-washing for 20-seconds helps to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

You can pre-register with RingGo online or by using the RingGo apps for iPhone and Android handsets.

Alternatively, you can register at the same time you want to park, either by using the RingGo apps or by calling RingGo via the number shown on the machine. The national RingGo number, which will work at any RingGo site, is 020 3046 0010.

Tags:
Car Parking
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Monica Sim
Tuesday 9th June 2020 at 3:35 pm
Has anyone spotted the inherent contradiction between this news item and that of the travellers allowed to camp on the Broadway Meadow car park in Wilmslow town centre on a 'temporary' basis? Will they be charged car parking fees?

What will be the impact on parking availability for shoppers and people returning to work (to assist in reviving the economy) and on the already under-pressure car parking within Wilmslow town centre?

Rather than provide a properly serviced and properly managed site for the travelling community the Local Authority has made a decision that is liberal in its intent but ill thought through in its outcome.
Harry Martin
Tuesday 9th June 2020 at 4:26 pm
Few double standards if travellers can park free of charge
Stephen Maynard
Tuesday 9th June 2020 at 8:04 pm
Most considerate of the Council to charge us all as we try to adjust to the new normal and stand in Line to get our basic essentials in those shops that are starting to re-open - profiteering at the expense of those forced to comply with Social Distancing and waiting our turn making the shopping trip 2-3 times longer than normal - who are they helping, us the consumer/Council Tax payer, the shop keeper struggling to pay rate and rent or just themselves - they should be ashamed of their actions !! - this certainly doesn't help the village businesses to get back on their feet
Andy Brown
Wednesday 10th June 2020 at 6:07 pm
Don't think I'd be wanting to use a pay and display machine along with the great unwashed!