PEOPLE will be able to use cash when they buy a parking ticket in a Cheshire East Council car park in Knutsford from next week.

Cheshire East has responded to feedback over its pay and display car parks by agreeing to reintroduce cash payments from Monday, August 17.

The council has come under fire from residents and businesses angered by the length of time it has taken to pay by card and the risk of transmitting coronavirus by pressing buttons to input your car registration number.

The council reintroduced charges at pay and display car parks in June as some lockdown measures began to be eased.

It said at that time the option of cash (coin) payments at most car park machines was withdrawn to reduce the risk of virus transmission during the early stages of opening up town centres.

A spokesman said since June the council had been monitoring car park usage and had been listening to feedback from car park users, residents and businesses.

He said: “Car parks have been getting progressively busier in the weeks since lockdown, and people are becoming more used to visiting town centres while observing Covid safety measures.

Cllr Laura Crane, cabinet member for highways and waste said: “I would like to thank residents for using car parks responsibly since lockdown measures have been lifted.

“I continue to strongly recommend that people use cashless payment options where this is possible.

“Our parking machines offer both ‘chip and pin’ and contactless options as means of payment. We also offer the alternative option to use RingGo, the mobile app, if someone wanted to avoid using the machine completely.

“We have found that a mobile app is the preferred option for many people and are looking to improve that offer over time.

“However, we recognise that cashless options are not the best payment option for everyone, and we are now offering cash payment for those who choose to use it.

READ>> Tatton MP hits out at 'ridiculous' length of queues to buy parking tickets in Knutsford

“While Covid, and the risks it presents, has not gone away, we want to support and encourage people to come back into our town centres.

“But this needs to be done progressively and with care, with due regard to advice from public health professionals.

“As with all changes put into place in response to the Covid pandemic, these measures are being kept under review.”

Tatton MP Esther McVey said: “Both myself and businesses have been calling for cash payments to be reintroduced and I am delighted the council has finally listened.

“I know from parking there myself how slow the card machines can be processing payments and how quickly queues can build up.

"The worry always was that some people are deterred by the queues and will go elsewhere.

"We need to do everything we can to support our local businesses and ensure the high street thrives and this small change will be very much welcomed. 

“The next issue the council must deal with is the lack of on street parking in Knutsford. Businesses want it reintroduced and I have raised this with the council many times, including with the chief executive last week, and will keep doing so until the matter is resolved.”