For Alsager's town centre to thrive, the town council believes it is imperative that car parking charges are not introduced.

Since Cheshire East was created in 2009, car parking policies across the borough have differed from town to town.

Car parking in some towns, like Alsager currently, is free to use, and in town where charges do apply, the charges vary between towns.

There are four Cheshire East Council operated car parks in Alsager, with a total of 403 car parking spaces for short and long stay.

Cheshire East's public consultation on parking plans across the borough closes on Sunday 31 January.

The consultation could see changes to parking provision and potential car parking charges across the borough.

The consultation was discussed at last Tuesday's Alsager Town Council meeting.

Cllr Rod Fletcher, chair of Alsager Town Council, highlighted that the town council strongly believes that there should be no charges to Alsager car parks to enable the town centre to thrive.

Cllr Michael Unett "welcomed" the views of the town council ahead of responding to Cheshire East's consultation, but he felt "more could be added".

The Labour councillor voiced that part of Fairview Car Park, the only major car park in the town, which is administered by Asda has "slightly different rules" to the rest of the car park although it remains all free.

Cllr Unett said: "There would be an issue there if car parking charges were to be put in place an issue of reinforcement and whether it actually would be viable."

The car park was also labelled as a "major" pick up and drop off point for Alsager Highfields Community Primary School.

Cllr Unett said: "Along with the fact it would cripple our town centre, I think there are other reasons to state quite strongly why parking charges would be unsuitable."

Cllr Sue Helliwell added that the car park is used by support workers from the Alsager Community Support Centre and she would not want to see them "penalised" through the introduction of car parking charges.

A 'No to Car Parking Charges in Alsager' petition which was created by Alsager town councillor Jo Dale currently has 434 signatures.

Cllr Pauline Hubbard proposed that the town council requested that electrical vehicle charging points are installed in all Alsager car parks.