Free parking will end in most council car parks in parts of Cheshire from next month.

Cheshire East Council has confirmed that parking charges will come into force in areas where parking has traditionally been free from December 2.

The plans were approved in January and have proven controversial, with protests in several areas.

Cheshire East Council said the taxes were “necessary” to ensure all towns were treated fairly and equitably and to reduce some of the financial burden on the authority.

The changes impact car parks in areas including Alsager, Audlem, Bollington, Handforth, Holmes Chapel, Middlewich, Poynton, Prestbury and Sandbach.

Parts of Cheshire East have historically had free parking, under arrangements before the formation of the current council in 2009.

Free parking will remain in some smaller car parks, in areas where the council has said it is “not cost effective” to introduce a pay and display system.

The authority also highlighted an initiative in some areas allowing free parking after 3:00 p.m., and said tolls in some areas would not start until 9:00 a.m. to allow for school drop-offs.

Mark Goldsmith, chairman of the council’s highways and transport committee, said: “While we recognize that these new parking arrangements have caused some concern, they are necessary to ensure that all our towns are treated fairly and equitably and to reduce some of the costs. financial burden faced by the council.