Resident anger at parking rules
THE council has been accused of encouraging residents to break lockdown rules - by forcing them to constantly make nonessential trips out to avoid parking fines.
Although it is largely a residential road, Bridge Street is near Macclesfield town centre and cars can only be left for a maximum of two hours.
Mike Williams says he and others that live on the road knew the rules when they moved in so under normal circumstances this is fine.
But during lockdown, when advice is to limit journeys out for public health reasons and there are many other stresses, he believes Cheshire East Council should wave these restrictions.
Parking wardens are continuing to enforce the rules though.
That leaves residents with a choice, leave the house every two hours to move their car or quickly clock up expensive fines.
Mike, 36, who lives with his fiancée, said: “Normally we can freely move our without fear of being questioned by foot patrolling police or potentially spreading a deadly virus.
”But now we are all being told that we only leave home when it is really necessary and there are even large electronic signs from the council in town reminding drivers that only essential journeys in a car should be made.
”We have to leave home every two hours for a non-essential journey in the car to find a new space and then do it again in another two hours. The council is punishing us for following the rules. I find this ridiculous.”
So far Mike, who is a teacher, has had one £70 fine but he says another neighbour has got so sick of the situation they have got rid of their car.
The restrictions apply from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 8am and 6pm, hours that suddenly become much more problematic when many people are working from home.
A car park that can be used instead is around five minutes walk away.
But this requires the time and expense of obtaining a £70 a year permit and means residents lose the security of having their car in front of the house. In the first lockdown the council did relax the restrictions.
Mike added: “What if someone has the Covid symptoms and has to isolate, how many tickets would they get? It is the last thing they should be worried about but the council won’t acknowledge it at all.”
Cheshire East Council has been contacted for comment.
Its website says that if a fine is paid within 14 days a 50 per cent discount is given, but if it is not paid within 56 days then 50 per cent extra must be paid.
And it also states: “Our parking regulations help keep car parks safe and roads and stop people blocking others from parking. You may get a penalty charge notice if you contravene parking regulations.”