PARISH councillors in Lymm are fighting the new car park charges in the village.

Free parking has been reduced from an hour to 15 minutes and the fee for two hours has gone up from 50p to £1.

Lymm Parish councillors were shocked that a 3,000-strong petition was overruled at full council last month and charges are to continue.

Councillor Anna Fradgley has conducted her own review on behalf of Lymm Parish Council, to get the opinions of local residents and businesses.

“Warrington Borough Council hasn’t even asked Lymm residents for their comments, so I thought I would do it!” she said.

“The most overwhelming outcome, which is of no surprise, is that people want their one hour free parking back.

“But what did come as a surprise to me is that many people actually don’t mind paying for parking, if they need to stay in the village for a longer. It’s just that they felt that the £1 entry point was too steep for 15 minutes or more.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr, Ian Marks has said “I am concerned about what is happening in Lymm at present.

“The reduction of free parking to 15 minutes is bad for the village economy and we need to look at returning it back to one hour free.”

Conservative Cllr, Sheila Woodyatt said “I think introducing these changes is bad enough, but two weeks before Christmas is appalling.

“I have also asked the council why Lymm residents and businesses where not consulted before these changes were agreed.”

Cllr Fradgley added, “I think that the council has contravened the traffic management act 2004.

“This states that parking charges and fines should not be used as a ‘local tax’ and that all members of the community including residents, traders and the police should be consulted on traffic management needs, as well as economic needs.

“I have asked for this case to go through to the council’s scrutiny committee for an independent review. In the meanwhile, Warrington Borough Council has said it will continue to review the effect of the car park charges up until March.”

  •  Any comments or concerns over the car parking charge increases should be sent to Cllr Hans Mundry, who is in charge of highways, transportation and public realm at email address hmundry@warrington.gov.uk.