Cheshire East's deputy leader has warned the days of a free lunch where some towns pay for parking and others don't 'has to become a thing of the past'.

Cllr Craig Browne, who heads up the council's highways committee, was speaking on Thursday as members voted in favour of reviewing parking charges across the borough and going out to public consultation.

Last time the council attempted to do this, in 2021, it was thrown out at this stage by the highways committee.

Cllr Browne (Alderley Edge, Ind) said the proposals now being looked at allowed for town-by-town analysis and phasing in.

"I'm also pleased to see clear consideration this time has been given to mitigation measures in those areas where charges could be introduced that don't exist currently," he said.

At present there are no charges in some of the borough's towns, including Middlewich, Sandbach, Alsager and Holmes Chapel.

He added: "I think there is also an attempt to introduce some kind of demand responsive element to charging which, again, can differ by town and this could, of course, lead to reduced charging at certain times of day in some areas but higher charging where demand and spaces are at a premium."

Cheshire East pays £4m a year to operate and manage its car parks.

Cllr Laura Crane (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

Cllr Browne said: "With the council facing a £20m funding gap, the concept of a free lunch, where some places pay but not others, I really just think this has to become a thing of the past."

He said the consultation process would give town and parish councils the opportunity to take on existing free car parks or cover the costs of Cheshire East not charging.

Crewe councillor Hazel Faddes (Lab) said the current charging system is a legacy of the old borough councils and should have been addressed and harmonised at the inception of Cheshire East many years ago.

"It is not fair that residents who are working and shopping or visiting some of our towns can park free of charge, yet others pay and contribute for the upkeep of all of our borough's car parks," she said. "Some are getting a free ride at the expense of others and it is important for the recovery of all our towns to have a fairer system in Cheshire East."

Sandbach councillor Laura Crane (Lab) said: "I don't want to be doing this, but I think this is something that should have been done 14 years ago."

Referring to a comment made earlier in the debate by Poynton councillor Mike Sewart (Con) that charges would result in cars parking on streets and drive shoppers and businesses out of town centres, she gave Nantwich as an example.

"Nantwich is one of the most bustling town centres we have in this borough and yet it has one of the highest car parking charges, so that argument just doesn't stand up for me," said Cllr Crane.

She said in areas where parking was currently free, 'if those towns feel so strongly, I feel there's an argument for town councils taking on some responsibility for those provisions'.

The vote to go out to consultation in September was passed with 10 councillors voting in favour, one against and one abstaining.