Congleton's MP has urged residents to sign a petition calling on Cheshire East Council to rethink their decision to reinstate car parking charges.

Cheshire East reintroduced car parking charges last Monday (15 June) in line with the reopening of Congleton's high street.

Parking charges had been suspended across the borough since 27 March following a council decision to support keyworkers – including NHS staff and social care workers – to assist in the response to control the virus.

Dr Kieran Mullin, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, has created a petition stating that Cheshire East's decision would have a detrimental impact on local retailers.

Dr Mullin said: "Bringing back charges now is a mistake. Our smaller retailers need all the help they can get. This will make it even more difficult for them to start getting back on their feet.

"I know how much people want to support their local retailers, especially now. Please sign the petition below so we can pressure Cheshire East to rethink this."

On Saturday (20 June), Dr Mullin announced that over 2600 people had already signed the petition.

Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, has called on the community to support Dr Kieran Mullin's MP petition.

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Mrs Bruce said: "It is completely wrong to reintroduce parking charges at this time in towns like Congleton.

"We need to give our shops a much-needed boost, and while driving, cycling and walking are encouraged as the preferred method of transport – we should not but a block in the way of helping our shops to recover.

"Please sign Dr Kieran Mullin MP's petition for Cheshire East Council to change direction on the reintroduction of parking charges."

You can find Kieran Mullin's petition here.