Councillor Seeks Deferral of Parking Charges

Councillor seeks deferral of proposed Car Parking Charges in Audlem following the loss ofthe D&G Rural Bus Service.

Cllr Rachel Bailey is seeking deferral of Cheshire East's proposed Car Parking Charges, due tocome into effect this autumn, in view of the current loss of a regular bus service by 1st September.

A Go Too Bus service remains but requires advance booking via a telephone call or mobile phone 'app', which residents of all ages, report is flawed and regrettably that the service is unreliable.

Further this service is about to be rolled out borough wide, which brings its capacity into question.

Irrespective of obvious errors in the Cheshire East Car Parking Strategy for Audlem, raised both during the consultation period and at the, decision making, Highways Committee such as:

• likely impact on a rural economy
• impact on road safety due to displaced vehicles
• an erroneous reference to a railway station within the village
• a lack of infrastructure to enable walking and cycling

were all raised both during the consultation and at the, decision making, Highways Committee

but the premise of:

• encouraging a better use of the bus service
• encouraging walking and cycling
• a reduction in combustion engine emissions
• addressing Cheshire East financial deficit

held sway.

With the imminent loss of a regular bus service residents will rely on the Audlem Car Park even more, not least to access health and wellbeing services. Worse access to work, education or tomeet up with loved ones is severely compromised.

Within the councils Corporate Plan it claims to:

• 'empower and care for people'
• support 'thriving urban and rural economies with opportunities for all'
• to be an 'open and enabling organisation'

I fear this latest 'cut' is a totally out of kilter with those pledges and therefore call on Cheshire East to urgently, source an alternative form of transport or failing that, immediately defer their proposal to introduce car parking charges in the Village of Audlem.

I am seeking permission to speak at the next Highways & Transport Committee meeting in thisregard.

Rachel Bailey
Cheshire East Audlem Ward Councillor
27 August 2024