Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has approved a new car parking strategy, which will see a number of changes brought in – including price rises at all of its fee-paying car parks as well as the introduction of free parking for quick visits.

The proposals will come into effect from April – except for in Cheadle where they're being deferred and will be reviewed later in the year.

As well as tariff changes, the new plans include investment in a contactless payment system, a new tourist parking pass, charging points for electric vehicles and improvements to car park signage.

The plans have drawn some criticism, however, due to an increase in the number of hours where motorists will have to pay to park and for bringing in more expensive tariffs.

Currently charges are in force from 9.30am until 3.30pm but the new plans will see them come in force from 8am until 6pm.

Nub News reported previously how a petition has been set up to campaign against the reduction in free parking hours, receiving hundreds of signatures on its launch day.

Although the council hasn't increased car parking charges since 2018, it has taken a hit from a reduction in car parking income in recent years.

It says this has been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The authority said it must now prepare for car park income to stay below what it was prior to the pandemic, on a like for like basis.

The council has invested in re-surfacing a number of car parks and allocated £200,000 to replace its pay and display machines.

The current machines are over 15 years old, they only accept coins and do not provide change.

However, due to the introduction of a mobile phone payment app they may not replace all the machines as originally planned.

The council said: "Parking is seen as an integral and important part of the resident and visitor experience in both town centres and rural locations.

"Parking is also a critical area for the future survival of businesses and continued town centre growth as part of the access and travel strategy."

It added: "The interplay between car parks and town centres is complex.

"The needs of the many stakeholders, with sometimes differing objectives that can come into conflict needs to be finely balanced.

"Understanding the needs of the customers, but basing a strategy in facts and evidence is a critical success factor."

Explaining the new charging hours being proposed, the council said: To be able to offer free stays, charging hours will be required to return to 8am to 6pm Monday – Saturday.

"The introduction of Sunday charges is not proposed at the current time given the uncertainty surrounding economic recovery from the impact of Covid 19 and in response to stakeholder feedback.

"It should be recognised that Sunday is becoming a stronger day for retail and leisure uses and this will be a matter that should be kept under review in updating the Car Parking Strategy in the future."

In order to take advantage of the free parking period, customers will still need to display a ticket – which can be obtained from the parking machines without payment.

The phone payment system will also be able to accommodate the free parking period.

The new parking rates across the Moorlands are different for each town, and are provided in full below:

Leek Prime Short Stay – Market Place, Brook Street, Queen Street, Regent Street, Silk Street, Market Street West and Market Street East – from April 1 hour = £1.20 (currently £1) 2 hours = £1.90 (currently (£1.50) 3 hours = £2.80 (currently (£1.90) Short Stay – from April 1/2 hour = free (currently £1) 1 hour = £1.20 (currently £1) 2 hours = £1.90 (currently (£1.50) 3 hours = £2.80 (currently (£1.90) Long Stay Variable – from April 1/2 hour = free (currently £1) 1 hour = £1.20 (currently £1) 2 hours = £1.90 (currently (£1.50) 3 hours = £2.80 (currently (£1.90) 10 hours = £3.50 (currently £2.40)

Cheadle

Tape Street (Standard Area) – deferred for now

1 hour = £1 (currently £0.90)

2 hours = £1.70 (currently (£1.40)

3 hours = £2.50 (currently (£1.80)

Tape Street (New Short Stay Area) – deferred for now

1/2 hours = free (currently £0.90)

1 hour = £1 (currently £0.90)

2 hours = £1.70 (currently (£1.40)

3 hours = £2.50 (currently (£1.80)

Tape Street (New Long Stay Area) – deferred for now

1 hour = £0.90 (currently £0.90)

2 hours = £1.50 (currently (£1.40)

3 hours = £2.20 (currently (£1.80)

10 hours = £3.50 (currently N/A)

Well Street – deferred for now

1 hour = free (currently £0.90)

2 hours = £1.50 (currently (£1.40)

3 hours = £2.30 (currently (£1.80)

10 hours = £3.00 (currently £2.20)

Biddulph Wharf Road – from April 1 hour = free (currently £0.60) 2 hours = £1.20 (currently (£0.80) 3 hours = £1.80 (currently (£1.00) 10 hours = £2.50 (currently £1.80)

Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter below to get the top 10 Leek stories of the week delivered straight to your inbox every Friday! No click-bait. No intrusive ads. Just news about Leek.