Cheshire East Council's statutory public consultation, which applies to most council-owned car parks across the borough, runs until 9 October 2024.

It would mean Maxonians would pay to park in the evenings, and on Sundays, when they currently do not, should the consultation plans come to fruition. 

The council is proposing to extend charges at its car parks to 10pm, and to charge on Sundays – the tariffs for which would be in line with the rates for the rest of the week. 

Currently, paid Cheshire East Council car parks only charge for you to park there from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

There are 21 Cheshire East Council-owned parking sites in Macclesfield, 18 of which are paid.

However, the Council now seek to change the time you need to pay and display from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday. 

The consultation was launched at the end of August, and there is just two days left for the public to respond to it.

Members of the public can read the consultation HERE, and email [email protected] to respond to the consultation. The subject line must by 'Variation 12'.

The changes are hoped to plug a £100 million funding gap at Cheshire East Council.

The Hibel Road Car Park, Macclesfield. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Nub News readers have reacted strongly against the introduction of Sunday and evening chargers, with one commenter describing the potential changes as the "final death knell to the town centre".

Macclesfield's business community has also reacted in opposition to the proposals.

And an independent survey was launched by Maxonians, to give alternative data, for an alternative plan, to be put forward to the council.