Residents have been urged to take part in a consultation which could see parking charges rise in Congleton.

Since the council was created in 2009, car parking policies across the borough have differed from town to town. Car parking in some towns, unlike Congleton currently, is free to use, and in towns where charges do apply, the charges vary between towns.

Congleton has 13 car parks that are owned and operated by Cheshire East Council with a total of 844 parking spaces.

As part of their budget consultations, Cheshire East is considering the need for greater harmonisation of charges between their towns, with charges in some towns being increased to achieve this.

Across council-managed car parks in Cheshire East that currently charge for parking, there are large differences in the hourly charges between the different towns.

For example charges range from £0.30 up to £0.80 for the first hour of parking. The authority is considering changing this so that there is a consistent set of charges across all towns.

Cheshire East has now launched public consultations on local transport and parking plans across the borough.

The consultations, which begin today (Monday 23 November) and end on 31 January 2021, will seek to engage with communities, towns, elected members and stakeholders.

The results of this exercise will inform the future direction of how to improve transport, walking and cycling across the borough's towns.

It will also inform proposals, which would be subject to further consultation, regarding changes to parking provision and potential car parking charges in the borough.

The local transport plan consultations are based around the following themes:

- Accessibility for all - considering all travel needs;

- Sustainability - improving walking, cycling and public transport;

- Quality of the public realm - managing traffic to support town centres and the visitor economy;

- Better neighbourhoods - improving amenities where people live; and

- Connectivity - the strategic links needed to access work, education and essential services, such as hospitals.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East, said: "The consultation is an opportunity for us to work together and get the right blend of local transport provision in the right places.

"Alongside these plans, we are also developing town centre vitality plans for our key service centres, helping us to better understand and respond to local needs.

"We must also consider the potential longer-term impacts of Covid-19. This may include using our spaces differently to enable social distancing, more reliance on active travel and public transport, as well as increased home working."

The car park consultation looks at:

- The role of parking in accessing town centres (current and future);

- The level of parking charges in Cheshire East and scope for harmonisation;

- On-street parking restrictions; and

- Improving parking services.

Cllr Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and waste, said: "The local transport plan sets out a need for greater harmonisation of parking arrangements across Cheshire East, during the period 2020 to 2025.

"The parking consultation, alongside the development of town vitality plans, will engage many stakeholders to ensure we have a broad strategy moving forward, taking into account the economic, environmental and community elements that car parking brings."

The responses to the consultations will be used to shape policies and proposals going forward.

You can complete Cheshire East's 'Car Parking Survey' here.

Congleton residents can complete the 'Local Transport Delivery Plan' survey here.