CE Proposed Audlem Car Park Charges

Car Parking Pre- Consultation

Cheshire East have now published their proposed mandatory charges for Audlem Car Park on Cheshire Street .They range from £0.60 for up to an hour, £1 for 1-2 hrs and increasing tariffs up to £3.40 for up to 10 hrs.
A quarter Tariff will be £163 and an annual Tariff £490.

In addition to prevent users avoiding the car park charges yellow lines will be in place along Windmil Drive and Tollgate drive.
The Cheshire East document describing these proposed changes can be viewed Here for detailed Charges and yellow lines proposals

As currently proposed the Cheshire East strategy seems to be purely based on increasing revenue to close the £12.6m potential deficit the council is facing.

Little concern seems to have been given to people attending the Medical Centre from outlying homes and villages, the elderly people attending ADCA events, groups attending events in the Public Hall The events that ASET put on nor especially people wanting to visit businesses in the centre of the village.

This was brought to the attention of Cheshire East by the Pre – Consultation document sent to Cheshire East by Audlem Parish Council .To see full details of this click on the Pdf file below the photo

Councillor Rachel Bailey

has sent in this statement concerning the proposed car park charges in Audlem :

Further to my recent Audlem on Line Chatbox posts, referencing Cheshire East Council's imminent consultation on its Car Parking Strategy, I can confirm this is now open and ends on 1 November 23.

* A pdf copy of the CEC Audlem Parking Strategy can be be viewed by clicking here

and a link below to consultation documents.

Parking reviews and public consultations (cheshireeast.gov.uk) documents can be reviewed here

* Cheshire East have set up a dedicated email account for any associated correspondence queries: carparksreview2023@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Some initial thoughts regarding the proposed parking charges in Audlem are as follows:

* potential impact on accessing vital community, care and health services for residents of Audlem and surrounding areas.

* potential impact on Audlem Traders and associated tourism.

* will there be an impact on the work of Audlem Special Events Team?

* will there be an impact on grieving families and mourners accessing the adjacent cemetery.

* impact of potential vehicle displacement on the surrounding area.

* concern as to whether restricted parking regulation orders on Windmill Drive and Tollgate would sufficiently be effective?

* potential heightened highway issues on Cheshire Street.

In addition:

* the report references how a projected total annual income of £30,585.36 could benefit highway maintenance and bus services but provides NO assurance if and what monies could be spent in our local area.

* the report doesn't appear to explain 'what's changed' from the 2021 consultation when it was deemed inappropriate to introduce charging to the village car park; I include a link below for ease of access. Click here to view

I welcome the Parish Council's commitment to hold a public meeting but in advance of that believe it is crucial that our services, volunteer organisations and regular car park users, have an opportunity to formulate their own views; I have therefore shared my communication as widely as possible.

In the interim if you have any queries/comments please contact me via rachel.bailey@cheshireeast.gov.uk or directly via mobile 07825436587.

Cllr Rachel Bailey
Audlem Ward