INDEPENDENT Middlewich town councillor David Latham is lobbying support to double Wheelock Street parking time limits from one hour to two.

The high street currently allows for a maximum of one hour of free parking followed by no return within an hour, which Cllr Latham says is harming the town’s independent retailers.

After voicing his proposals at Middlewich town council’s May meeting, it appears the changes could be just a consultation process away.

Cllr Latham said: “By the time people have had their hair done or gone to the dentist, they have to race back to the car and haven’t got time to go to the butchers.

“They are worried about being caught by Cheshire East Council and this sporadic parking attendant chap. It has upset quite a lot of people.

“People came to me and I have had a couple of letters as well. It was then I thought it was time to do something about it, so I went to businesses for support and they thought it was a good idea.”

Cllr Latham’s chief concerns are for groups such as the elderly, who he says may find it difficult to complete all their tasks in such a short space of time.

After learning that a longer parking allowance was widely supported by businesses and members of the public, Cllr Latham proposed that the town council take the issue to the borough.

It was unanimously agreed at the May 10 meeting to write to Cheshire East Council, who will propose a consultation process in order to gauge public opinion.

“It will take going up and down the street to get a feel across the board. A change is needed and it would be a fairer way.

“We can’t have people parking there all day but a two hour limit might be sufficient.

“There are various options to take so they don’t have to be brutal and say no. I still believe that there should be free parking if at all possible.”