The official guidance from the C of E encourages PCCs not to enforce the chancel liability, but I quite agree it's a system that would be far better abolished.

I also object to charging for admission to cathedrals - though if you think £9 is bad, avoid Westminster Abbey (£18!) Durham, I am pleased to note, is free, as are Liverpool and St Albans. So is Norwich, although they do push the suggested donation pretty hard (still within the bounds of politeness, though).