Congleton residents and businesses have until midnight to submit their responses to Cheshire East Council's car parking consultation.

Congleton Town Council has submitted their response and stated that they are "totally opposed" to the idea of "harmonisation" across all paid car parks in Cheshire East.

The town council feels the needs in the towns varies greatly and the car parking polices need to be developed to "best help the needs of the individual town".

A "one size fits all approach will not be in the best interest of the towns".

The town council would like to see one- or two-hours free parking in Congleton to "help boost the town centre" and to "help it compete with free parking in retail sites surrounding the town".

Cheshire East charges for car parking in seven of its towns.

Congleton's prices are the cheapest of the paid car parking at 40p for an hour, whilst other Cheshire East towns are all either 70p or 80p for an hour.

Congleton is 80p for two hours and £1.60 for eight hours.

Whilst towns across the borough are £1 or £1.20 for two hours and eight hours range from £5.60, £3 and £4.40 across the other towns.

Congleton Town Council are "assuming that harmonisation will look at reducing the other towns to the Congleton fees", and they are "seriously concerned" about the impact the higher prices would have on the town centre at this time.

There is also the suggestion of charging seven days a week and increasing the charging times from 9am – 5pm to 8am – 10pm.

You can link into the survey here.