
Central Congleton parking โ flexible pay & display on Back Park Street, free evenings & Sundays.
๐ Type: On-Street Pay & Display Bays (Cheshire East Council, Zone CP)
๐ Open: MonโSat 08:00โ18:00; free outside these hours & on Sundays & bank holidays
๐ Rating: 4.1 / 5 (local user feedback)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Tariff (MonโSat 08:00โ18:00):
Up to 30 min: ยฃ0.80
Up to 1 h: ยฃ1.60
Up to 2 h: ยฃ3.00
Up to 4 h (max stay): ยฃ5.00
Evenings & Sundays: Free (no ticket required)
Resident Permits: Zone CP permits available via Cheshire East Council for nearby streets
Blue Badge Holders: Park free at any time during enforcement hours (badge displayed)
Payment Methods: Street machines (cash/card) or RingGo app (zone code on signage)
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Bays | ~18 parallel bays |
| Surface | Asphalt carriageway with bay markings |
| Lighting | Streetlamps providing evening illumination |
| Security | Occasional Civil Enforcement Officer patrols |
| Bay Width | Standard 2.4 m (tight for larger vehicles) |
| Entry/Exit | Unbarriered; clear signage to pay machines |
โฟ Accessibility
Blue Badge Bays: Shared-use bays; badge holders exempt from charges
Step-Free Access: Dropped kerbs at each bay end to adjacent pavement
Drop-Off Zone: Short lay-by near community centre entrance for quick unloading
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Chargers: None at these bays
Nearest Public Chargers:
2 ร 7 kW Pod Point at Park Lane Car Park (6 min walk)
4 ร 22 kW Ubitricity lamppost chargers on Market Street (8 min walk)
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| MonโFri 08โ10 AM | 90 % | Commuters & shoppers |
| MonโFri 12โ2 PM | 65 % | Lunchtime visitors |
| Saturdays 10โ4 PM | 95 % | Weekend retail footfall |
| Evenings after 6 PM | Free | Dining & leisure patrons |
Pro Tip: Validate your ticket immediately upon arrival to avoid expiry, then enjoy your visit.
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Congleton Market Square | 3 min | Shops, cafรฉs & weekly market stalls |
| Congleton Town Hall | 4 min | Public toilets & council services |
| Park Lane Car Park (MSCP) | 6 min | Covered parking & EV charging |
| Astbury Mere Country Park | 12 min | Scenic lakeside walk & play areas |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Public Toilets: Town Hall foyer (4 min)
ATM: NatWest, Market Street (5 min)
Pharmacy: Boots, High Street (5 min)
Food & Drink:
The Old Saw Mill Cafรฉ (3 min)
The Swan Inn (4 min)
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Lane Multi-Storey (MSCP) | 6 min | ยฃ1.20 /h; ยฃ6 / day | 24 h | Covered, EV charging & CCTV |
| Market Street Lay-bys | 5 min | ยฃ1.00 /h; 4 h max | 4 h | Slightly lower hourly rate |
| Astbury Road Surface Lot | 8 min | Free 1 h; ยฃ1.50 /h after | 4 h | Free short-stay near park |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Enforcement: MonโSat 08:00โ18:00; fines for no ticket or overstay
Overnight Parking: Allowed outside enforcement hours but at ownerโs risk
Maintenance: Occasional street-sweeping and bay re-marking; check signage
๐ Expert Tips
Resident Permit Hack: If you visit frequently, secure a Zone CP permit for unlimited stays.
Market Days: On Wednesdays and Saturdays, arrive before 9 AM to snag the best bays.
EV Users: Charge at Park Lane MSCP then stroll back via the canal towpath.
๐ฎ Future Developments
Late 2025: Council evaluating installation of 4 ร 7 kW EV chargers along Back Park Street.
2026: Pilot ANPR pay-by-plate system to eliminate need for paper tickets.