RESIDENTS living near Warrington Hospital are outraged at possible plans to introduce a "parking tax" outside their homes and local church in a bid to ease congestion.
More than 80 people living in the Whitecross area have signed a petition opposing the plans to introduce a £60 a year, per car, Residents Parking Zone (RPZ) in St Barnabas Place, Bostock Street, Cartwright Street, Colin Street and Goulden Street.
They are particularly angry at the proposed £60-a-year fee to park outside their own homes, when residents of nearby Lexden Street enjoy a similar scheme which is FREE.
While some of the streets suffer parking problems caused by people visiting Warrington Hospital, many residents say they are not affected.
Former councillor Bob Timmis, who is married to the local vicar of St Barnabus Church, said: "No proper consideration has been given to this scheme which is basically a parking tax.
"There is plenty of parking space outside the church and under the current proposals we would be expected to pay for a permit for funeral and wedding cars.
"Any parking problems in the area are caused by the hospital - so why should local residents be expected to supplement it.
"It is also a complete nonsense that some residents are expected to pay while a neighbouring street gets a free service."
Mr Timmis said he was also concerned many people in the area had not read the consultation document and were still unaware of the proposals.
"A lot of people are elderly and don't read circulars which are pushed through their doors. They also don't understand that anyone visiting their premises will require a parking permit."
Another resident Bob Jack said: "The cure is worse than the disease! How much did it cost the council to bring in consultants to come up with an idea like this?"
But local councillor Steve Parish (pictured right) moved to allay residents' fears.
He said residents in Goulden Street had asked about residents only parking, because it's near the hospital.
Officers sent out a consultation and extended the survey because of the possibility that people might then park further afield.
Cllr Parish said that he and fellow councillors Jeff Richards and Pat Wright were aware of the concerns about the proposals, and it seemed highly unlikely that there was much support in the wider area beyond Goulden Street.
"If residents don't want it, it will not happen, and from what we've heard it's a non-starter," he said.
The consultation has been extended another week to Monday November 14.
David Boyer, in charge of transportation at Warrington Borough Council, said:  "Warrington Borough Council's current policy on Residents Parking Zones (RPZ) which was agreed at the executive board in November 2009 is that there will be no charge levied against any existing RPZ, however, any new RPZ introduced after this date will attract a charge of £60 per vehicle. The introduction of this charge would bring Warrington in line with other authorities who generally charge for RPZ permits and this charge is set at a level to allow the costs of the setting up and operation of RPZ schemes to be covered.
"The council is currently developing an updated parking strategy that will be consulted on in early 2012. This parking strategy examines all aspects of parking within the borough; including existing and proposed RPZ's and charging mechanisms and this will be consulted on with both members and residents at that time."
Picture shows Bob Timmis with local residents outside St Barnabus Church which faces a possible "parking tax."