Call to bin this loss-making £11m multi-storey car park

A community leader was applauded when he asked if a council would be selling off its loss-making £11 million multi-storey car park - as part of a disposal of assets to boost finances. Alsager councillor Reg Kain made the call after it was revealed the Crewe car park has brought in just £17,244 in six months - despite costing Cheshire East Council £87,000 to operate. Mr Kain made the comment as he voted against the budget put forward by the Labour/Independent administration.

He said: “If we’re selling off assets, will we be selling off the £11 million car park in Crewe? It’s losing £67,000 this year. A simple question. If we’re going to sell assets, shouldn’t we be selling the loss-making ones as well as the surplus ones?" The council’s parking policy also came under fire from fellow Alsager councillor Rod Fletcher – this time over the cost of introducing charges in previously ‘free’ towns and villages.



Cllr Fletcher said: “The very small Well Lane car park in Alsager was provided to enable local householders with no drives to park off the road. It has cost £8,821 to line, improve the surface, plus the payment machine and also associated costs.” Apart from applause and calls of ‘hear’ hear’ from the opposition benches, there was no response to Cllr Kain’s comment about the Crewe car park.

But highways and transport committee chair Mark Goldsmith did promise Cllr Fletcher he would be supplied with the information he had requested on the Well Lane parking income. Cllr Goldsmith added: “I don’t think it will change the overall policy that we have made very clear that our car parks are no longer free any more. We expect people to pay to use them.

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