https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/petition-against-car-parking-charges
Petition is launched as Cheshire East Council plans to reintroduce parking charges on their car parks from the 15th June - the same day as non-essential shops try to re-start their businesses after 10 weeks of lock-down and have to cope with the complex social distancing measures that are required to keep everyone safe.
Dr Kieran Mullan MP Crewe & Nantwich is deeply concerned; "Bringing back (parking) 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".
"Businesses in Crewe & Nantwich will be doubly disadvantaged as they will be competing with places that never had car parking charges in the first place. This inconsistency has always grated on people and now we have the council ploughing ahead with plans that seem to take no account of that. The Cheshire East Councillor in charge of this decision and the Council Leader represent Sandbach where there aren't charges! Retailers have raised with me that this could be seen as a conflict of interest."
"The government are rightly encouraging people to use their cars instead of public transport when cycling or walking aren't an option. Cheshire East should think again."
"Cheshire East Council has claimed the reintroduction of charges is necessary to control demand and support social distancing. As I mentioned, Sandbach has never had parking charges, and I haven’t seen a plan to introduce them there to help control social distancing, I’m afraid that argument holds little water. That seems like a poorly thought up excuse at best."
Monday 15th June will see certain roads closed in towns across the borough, social distancing measures put in place around bus and train stations, new signage erected warning of the need to maintain 2m social distancing, temporary closures of small car parks to accommodate social distancing measures and new arrangements for pedestrians and cyclists.
This will, of necessity, result in reduced footfall in town centres meaning that small and medium-sized retailers will not be able to go 'back to normal' or predict their future viability. At the same time, going back to town is not going to be easy for many Cheshire East Residents. The re-instatement of car parking charges on the same day simply acts as another deterrent to nervous shoppers at a time when they need assurances that the 'New Normal' for retail is safe and accessible.
Cllr Janet Clowes (Conservative Group Leader) explained "! am well aware that charging is necessary to maintain the car parks and pay for parking wardens BUT surely our small and medium businesses on the high street deserve a chance to get back on their feet first before reintroducing any measures that might put customers off venturing back into town? As restrictions on non-essential shops are scheduled to be lifted on 15th June together with new town centre management schemes, the decision by Cheshire East Council to reinstate the parking charges seems remarkably short-sighted and an unnecessary additional blow to our SMEs just as they try and find a way back from the impact of lock down".
So too, Cllr Allen Gage (Willaston & Rope) pointed out the practical problems for shoppers who may wish to "nip in and out of town" but will be constrained by social distancing queues; " ...you could pay 1 hour charge, queue out side two shops but run out of time and get a 60 quid fine"