Bollington is a small former industrial town on the edge of the Peak District. It is quite unique within the Cheshire East borough and needs special treatment for a number of reasons. The carpark at Pool Bank was gifted to the people many years ago and managed by Bollington District Urban Council until 1974 (when assets transferred to Macclesfield Borough Council, and then to Cheshire East).

Because of the small terraced streets the town has a chronic shortage of on street parking for residents and Pool Bank carpark is within the heart of the residential area and provides a vital solution for overnight parking for residents in nearby houses. Introducing charges will have an adverse affect on these residents, especially when already facing a cost of living crisis, including rising Council Tax and energy bills.

The carpark is also within the main hub of shops and businesses and ensures that residents and visitors have somewhere easy to park whilst visiting the shops. Without the free carpark these independent businesses will suffer loss of earnings as many visitors are only in the carpark for a short time whilst at the baker, butcher, newsagent, etc.

Cameras have been installed to monitor usage, this has caused a lot of worry and unnecessary concern to Bollington people. We are asking that our voices are listened to and taken into account. 

Pool Bank carpark has always been free to use and the people who use it, the businesses nearby and visitors to our town want Cheshire East Council to understand how important it is to them that it remains free of charges.

[picture credit: Alexander Greensmith, Macclesfield Nub News]