Horse-drawn hearse leads huge protest over ‘death of village’ parking charges

A community launched an extravagant protest to express their anger at plans to introduce parking charges near their local village hall. 

More than 300 residents in Audlem, Cheshire, marched through the high street led by a horse-drawn hearse to oppose the fees which they say would be ‘the death of the village’.

Controversial proposals put forward by Cheshire East Council mean the 59-space car park will no longer be free to use.

Cheshire Street car park will instead cost drivers 60p for one hour, £1 for two hours and £3.40 for any stay up to 10 hours.

And it’s safe to say that the locals are not best pleased at all.

Holding up banners saying ‘Save Audlem’s Future Existence’ and chanting ‘no fees, no fines, no double yellow lines’, furious villagers lined the streets to mourn the potential loss of their complimentary parking spaces.

‘The hearse was to reflect that this would be the death of the village,’ said march coordinator Brian Bugeja. ‘By imposing the charge, it will impact the way of life in the village. People are annoyed and dismayed at this.’

Mr Bugeja, an engineer who has lived in Audlem for nine years, said there were around 250-300 people at the protest calling on the council to rethink their plans.

The 53-year-old said: ‘Our march is meant to show Cheshire East that the people of Audlem are against these charges.

‘It will have a massive impact on so many people’s lives and businesses if these charges are incurred. This is our only car park for the village and surrounding area.

‘This proposal will not only affect the shops but also the doctors’ surgery and clinic, the cemetery, and the public hall where activities are held on a daily basis, the free toilets and the post office. 

‘Not to mention parents use it when they drop their children off for both the local school and football training on the playing field adjacent to the car park.’

The new plans are part of a review of parking charges across the borough and the consultation period ended last week.

Mr Bugeja hit out at the council and lamented the fact that a whole host of other problems in the village are allegedly still yet to be addressed.

‘We’re going to make it plain that we’ve had enough,’ he added. 

‘This is drastic action to raise attention to the charges and it’s the next step to show Cheshire East that it’s not just me, or 10 people – it’s the whole of Audlem that is against it.

‘The potential income Cheshire East will make on the car park charges are insignificant compared to Cheshire East’s cost of maintaining, for example, our roads and other social obligations. 

‘In the report, it outlines the car park will generate an income of around £25,000, and so we’re not talking significant amounts here. 

‘It will hardly pay, for example, for one of our local roads, which is currently blocked causing flooding because of an issue that’s been going on for five years.

‘We’ve had temporary traffic lights on the roads for a year and a half because the road has collapsed. 

‘Another case in Corbrook where the council has tried to fix it, but who knows how much they’ve spent, but it’s still flooding. Why is the council not addressing these issues instead?’

Speaking last month, councillor Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council deputy leader and chair of the council’s highways and transport committee, said: ‘The council’s parking review is currently out for public consultation. 

‘We welcome all views and comments from residents and businesses. These will be considered as part of the review process before any decisions are made by the council.

‘Parking charges have only been increased once since Cheshire East was formed in 2009. 

‘The current arrangements for parking charges across the borough, including where several towns have no charges in all council car parks, are neither fair, nor sustainable.

‘Income from car parks is used to maintain them, including resurfacing, lighting and the installation of electric vehicle charging points. Income can also help to support other services, such as highways improvements or subsidised bus services.’

The consultation closed on November 1.

Earlier this year, people living on a cul-de-sac were in uproar at ‘outrageous’ £100 fines for parking on their own street.

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