Alderley Edge Parish Council are calling for traffic wardens to patrol the village centre during the evenings and at weekends.
Speaking at this week's Parish Council meeting, Cllr Matthew Lloyd said "In the evenings it is chaos now, it has got worse over the last few weeks and The Botanist opening has not helped things."
Cllr Mike Williamson added "We've questioned why when so many parking problems occur at weekends and evenings their (CEC) staff only work Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they show no intention of changing that. They just aren't interested in addressing the issues of the illegal parking in the village at night."
Cllr Lloyd responded "Surely the Council has a duty. What can we do to get the wardens down here on the evenings?"
Cllr Frank Keegan commented "I've said to Cheshire East on more than one occasion that they should be contemplating car parking charges for car parks at night because if you do that you increase the revenue. You haven't really inconvenienced anyone. People who fill up those car parks they can afford to pay, they are going out to pay a fortune on a meal."
He added "It would be a wonderful source of extra income for Cheshire East Council."
Cllr Williamson concluded "We can raise the issue with Cheshire East. They have a responsibility to address the issues that are caused by illegal parking and try and persuade them to consider changing their shifts because at the moment their wardens go home at 5 o'clock."
It was agreed that councillors would report back on progress at next month's meeting.
Comments
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Extra money for Cheshire East to waste then Mr Keegan, Alderley Edge Parish council should get every penny. NOT Cheshire East.
Alderley Edge is more evening entertainment than daily shopping now so it's hardly surprising this has happened. Do these Councillors not realise all this when passing all these places in the first place. Do they not realise people that come to Alderley at night don't all live within a few minutes walking distance. Amazing.
The suggestion that Parking Charges be extended until evening has two points: firstly, stop increasing the daytime charges, and secondly to recognise that at night, lots of people who come out to use the village are escaping scot free.
I think a small charge is a a small price to pay for a night out. I pay £2.50 to park in Altrincham Cinema! (I don't like it)
The Wardens cannot come out at night if there is no revenue breach. Frankly I think the night time economy has been piggy backing on the daytime users for long enough. If you have to pay just to go to the supermarkets, then we will organise a refund scheme with the retailers.
And I don't think everyone in Alderley Edge is a millionaire; I know exactly where the pressure points are and that is why I don't want to see hourly charges increase to 70p an hour!
I agree illegal parking is not an appropriate course of action but it comes back to the age old problem of not enough parking in the village! I also agree that revenue should go to the Parish Council rather than Cheshire East and I also agree that the big retailers, such as Waitrose, Tesco & Co-op should foot the bill for parking charges. Waitrose policy always used to be to provide free parking at its stores. Booths in Knutsford do it!
Perhaps Living Ventures could contribute too as they own most of the bars and restaurants benefitting from the evening trade in the village!
It's clear that you would love to see the village back as it was in the 1800s, and not as the vibrant place it is today. The attitude of the Council has done more harm to the area than anything else in recent times. Maybe you should do what Knutsford does and make it a 20 minute parking on the street? Not even enough time to get a coffee! Let's keep putting up the Business Rates, yet do everything to stop people spending money in the shops, bars and restaurants - oh, and bringing local employment.
And why should Tesco, Co-op, Waitrose etc. subsidise parking? They, like every other
business in Alderley already shells out more than their fair share and provide a valuable service to local people.
And, for reference, Living Ventures only own one site in the village.
PD
I am going to talk to the Traders Assn because I want them to support the dual ticket idea, so it becomes free for drivers who actually shop in the village.
we tried it once before but martin wienholt was the only guy who got landed with all the ticket charges. we need lots more traders involved, especially the people you mention.
I do recall seeing something on our council tax bill about paying so much towards the invisible men.
See the odd car whizzing thtru but none useing their legs!!
More people in the village and supporting local business and employment is positive in every way, please don't start winging about free parking!
Yes mindless parking is annoying but let's look at the positives rather than the negatives of more people enjoying our lovely village please!!!
The driver informs me that she was parked on the yellow line opposite Barclays; she was taking her 90 yr old Grandmother to Costa, and she has a Disabled Badge, which was on view.
In addition to this I get rude anonymous notes put on my car if I leave it parked perfectly legally in Carlisle Street for longer than two days from know it all residents who think they either own the street or that they are the "parking police". These people must realise that when they purchased their house they did so without a parking space. If they wanted a house with parking then they should have spent another £250k & moved to another part of the village or preferably out of the village altogether! Living in Chorley Hall Lane & without allocated parking means I have to park where ever I can, that's the deal unfortunately. I always make sure I do so legally & as considerately as possible. I just wish that some of the locals would do the same.
Mr Keegan, I would appreciate if you could look into this matter as it is becoming very annoying. We have a one year old child that we push in his pram down these pavements & on many of a occasion we have found ourselves having to divert onto the road & around these vehicles. A couple of times car's have been coming down the road & have had to stop for us. I'm also concerned for the residents of the care home at the bottom of the street who use these pavements with wheel chairs & mobility scooters.
As a reference to the anomymous note writer, if they would like to discuss where I choose to park then I would welcome them to come & talk to me personally about it before leaving cowardly notes. Many thanks Stuart Hubble, 27 Chorley Hall Lane.
You may not use it for your own purposes.