[Rant] Parking in Manchester

At the moment I time it right to go into Manchester (free after 6pm on Monday > Saturday and free all day Sunday) On days I work I tend to stay behind an extra 20 minutes before leaving which means I get into town around 6pm and find a spot no problems and not have to pay for the meters.
Failing that I might park in the AMC car park should I go to their cinemas (£2 for 5 hours parking once NCP ticket has been validated.)

Recently Manchester Council has been discussing extending the parking chargeable times to 8pm EVERY DAY!  Obviously this means I would have to fork out parking charges every time I go (and this increase might mean the extra petrol/cinema ticket price at Trafford Centre or Bury/Bolton would be more justifiable!)
It does mean though I would have to rush eating or not go Jum Cha with the family on Sunday...
See:
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/City-Centre-Businesses-Hate-New-Parking-Extension

Meanwhile other councils like Oldham and Leeds have reduced their charges and offered free Saturday parking!
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Council-Offers-Free-Saturday-Parking-In-Oldham
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Leeds-Cuts-Parking-Fees-Manchester-Ups-Them

How at the moment the meter prices are ridiculous £0.65p per 15 minutes by China Town = £2.6 per hour! *ouch compared to AMC!*
See attached map for chargeable zones (and cheapest meter prices)
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/146/on-street_parking/4

1 thing I learnt the hard way is that although you might only need 2 minutes (to up the time from say 5.58pm to 6.00pm, the meter WILL EAT THE MONEY BUT NOT ISSUE A TICKET UNLESS THE MINIMUM 65P WAS INSERTED!)
THERE IS ALSO NO REFUND SHOULD YOU ADD TOO MUCH (OR DON'T NOTE THE MAXIMUM TIME ALLOWED!!!)

Now at the end of last week I stopped a parking bay ticket enforcer (lovely lady by the way to chat to) who told me that these plans were not set in stone and the council was still looking over the complaints and arguments.  However it looks likely to happen and herself and colleagues weren't too happy as it meant longer working hours in the dark and no Sunday's off...
Reading this article then added insult I reckon:
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Our-parking-Q-and-A-with-Manchester-City-Council

SB: Will there be more enforcement officers on street?

Cllr NM: No, there’ll be no more. There may actually be a reduction in 

So there you have it.

I HATE IT!

Maybe I should always drive into work (after loading my bicycle to the roof rack, park the car in the rear service yard 1 or 2!, then cycle into town after work?)

Of course this means I have to find somewhere safe to lock the bike!
Safe I wonder as both front and back wheels are relatively easily to remove!!!