Worrying about parking - part 2

The recent decriminalization of parking in Macclesfield (which sounds counter-intuitive as it has lead to more tickets) as angered some as they feel it's no longer possible to pop into the shops in town.

These people are the minority - the majority that I have spoken to are pleased with the new system. They are pleased that whilst they always parked where they should they saw a small number of lazy, inconsiderate people breaking the rules. Rules that are not put in place to make life difficult, but to keep traffic flowing and make life easier for all.

They are also pleased that there are now more places you can stop if you want to pop into the shops. Short term bays, many of which are free, which used to be full of people parking all day are now available for what they were designed for.

So in the next few years, the outlook for parking in Macclesfield is good.

But what about the medium and long term? I have been digesting the plans for the new town centre and was immediately concerned about the amount of parking available. The new development will be built over three existing car parks and the plans I was sent didn't show a significant number of car spaces. Fortunately, I have been told this was because I wasn't sent plans for all the levels of the car park. I will look forward to ensuring that we end up with more spaces in the new development - because if we want more shops to encourage more visitors, then we certainly need more space.

Cost is another thing that bothers me greatly. I have got confirmation from MBC that the new car park will be run by a private operator. This immediately struck fear into my heart as I thought of a NCP wannabe taking hold of Macclesfield Town centre and bleeding us dry with exorbitant charges. Fortunately again, I have been told I will be proved wrong. The contract and charges will be set the council (which by that point will by Cheshire East, and not MBC) - so we have a chance to do this right.

We should consider this carefully, and if we are serious about competing with the Trafford Centre, where parking is free, then we must offer similar prices.

Short term parking must be free.

There is not much argument in Macclesfield for getting people out of their cars and onto public transport. This is a very rural area and the population is greatly dispersed. It is not possible to have buses to serve every road of every ward - and those that do cannot offer fast, frequent services.

We must not provide a disincentive for visiting our new town centre. Even a small charge will keep people away, so lets have no charge at all.

But my last worry is the biggest of the lot. When you consider that we are building this huge project over three of the car parks in Macclesfield (which are often well used when you visit them) - where are we going to park whilst the development is taking place?