The cost of parking permits for Knutsford town centre residents has increased five-fold.
Cheshire East Council has increased the cost of the parking permits for those living in the centre of town from £10 to £50.
A Knutsford resident who has had a parking permit for years was "incandescent" to discover she had received a parking ticket when the council had failed to inform her of the increase.
Val Dawson, of King Street, has had a permit to park in Tatton Street car park for 10 years. Every December she has received a reminder in the post, and renewing the permit has never been a problem.
However, this year she didn't receive the reminder and didn't notice, so continued to park in the car park as normal until January 17th when she received a parking ticket.
Val then learnt from a neighbour that the process had changed and residents now had to re-apply for the permit every year and that the charge had increased from £10 per annum to £50 per annum.
Val told knutsford.com "I had expected the charge would go up soon but not by such a ridiculous amount.
"My main anger though is the lack of communication from CEC."
Having contacted the Council, Val explained "I heard very promptly from CEC and they insist that I was notified a year ago by letter. I have asked them to send me a copy of that original notification as I wouldn't I have ignored such news. Other neighbours didn't seem to know either so did we all miss it?"
A Spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "Residents were informed of the changes to the residents parking scheme permits early last year. It would appear that some residents did not receive that letter for which we apologise. The resident in question may wish to appeal against the penalty notice for this reason.
"Further letters will now be sent over the next two weeks. We would advise people to check that their permit has not expired and to make a note to renew it as soon as necessary."
Val then received a second ticket, despite putting a note on her car saying she had applied for the parking permit. Having contacted CEC both parking charges have now been cancelled.
