‘IT IS THEIR OWN FAULT THEY KNOW THE RULES’
Visitors avoiding paying for parking are fined £24k
A COUNCIL raked in more than £20,000 in parking fines on a road next to a popular beauty spot last year.
A freedom of information request showed that Brereton Heath Lane in Congleton proved to be the biggest cash cow in terms of parking fines for Cheshire East Council during the 2020/21 financial year.
Drivers parking on the road near the popular Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve picked up 655 penalty charged notices (PCN), totalling £24,319 in fines.
The beauty spot has its own pay and display car park off Davenport Lane, but motorists often park on the roadside verges alongside Brereton Heath Lane to avoid the charges.
The car park is open every day and costs £1 for one hour, £2 for three hours and £3 for up to 10 hours. A penalty charge notice for a double yellow line infringement is £70.
Now visitors to the Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve say they agree with the fines. They say they are happy to pay for parking as the fees help fund the upkeep and maintenance of the nature reserve.
Oliver Durack goes for a walk at the nature reserve almost every day.
The 76-year-old, from Sandbach, said: “I pay £44 to park here for the year.
“I came here 300 times last year for £44. I agree with the fines, they shouldn’t be parking on the double yellow lines.
“They should use the car park and the money goes towards the upkeep of the nature reserve.”
Hayley Parrack, aged 60, from Holmes Chapel, agreed. She said: “I buy an annual pass to park here, I come every day more or less.
“I’m happy to pay and I think the money goes to the upkeep of the reserve. They keep it immaculate, the bins are always being emptied and they’re always here doing maintenance.
“The people who park on the road just don’t want to pay the parking fee. They know the rules, it’s double yellow lines and it’s their own fault.
“If it’s clearly marked that you will get a ticket, I think everyone that parks there is taking a chance. I always prefer to come to the car park with my dog so I can get him on the lead so he doesn’t run into the road.
“I can understand in the summer it gets really busy, but I’ve never had a problem getting on the car park. However, I come early in the morning, it would be different on a sunny day at the weekend or during the school holidays.”
And Olwyn Temmen, aged 60, from Nantwich, said: “If the money goes to the nature reserve, I don’t mind paying. If people are parking all along the road it can make it difficult for people to get up and down.
“But on one occasion when I used the ticket machine here it didn’t give me a ticket. I had to get more money and hope it took it. Then I had to try and get hold of somebody about it.
“I normally come at quiet times like today. But the car park is still half full on a weekday. People might not be able to get a space on here on a sunny day so that may be why they’re parking elsewhere.
“I think if they lowered the parking fee a little bit, it would encourage more people to park on here. But if some people are happy to pay, they’re not going to want to lower it. Perhaps it needs more parking.”
The Sentinel has contacted Cheshire East Council for a statement.