Impact of raising parking charges

Dear Sir,

Regarding the change of charges for parking that Cheshire East is implementing on 8th March, as described in last week's Chronicle, there are two glaring disasters from a Congleton and environmental perspective.

The first is raising the charges for car parks close to railway stations; this is being done, it is stated, to refl ect private charges in these localities and induce other ways of accessing stations.

The result will be less use of the train and yet even more congestion around the stations effected as those still using it decide to park elsewhere, resulting in more congestion, pollution and danger to residents and children.

Reintroducing charging on Park Street car park will act as a disincentive to visiting Congleton for retail, leisure or tourism purposes.

The importance of free parking cannot be emphasised sufficiently when potential visitors decide where to visit for these activities.

The reality is that these days people are more fl uid in their travel habits and small changes such as charging for use in a previously free car park can alter these routines significantly.

Yours faithfully,

(DR) PETER HIRST

Middlewich