Controversial decision on car parks’ charges is upheld

NEW PARKING charges will be introduced in a number of car parks after a controversial decision by Bradford Council was upheld.

Last month, the Council’s Executive approved plans to introduce evening and Sunday charges to a number of Bingley car parks, charges to park at St Ives Estate in Bingley, the removal of a 30-minutes free period in Wilsden car parks and the introduction of charge at car parks at Ilkley Lido and Shipley swimming pool.

The decision was ‘called in’ by Conservative Councillor for Bingley Rural Simon Cooke, allowing councillors to scrutinise the plans.

That discussion was at the Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee.

It was said that the changes would generate an added income of £13,000 a year through price increases and up to £40,000 per year from new charges. Coun Cooke said people may stop using car parks because of the charges. He also questioned the cost of enforcing the arrangements.

The committee heard that the cost of new ticket machines would be £21,000. Louise Williams, Bradford East Area Co-ordinator, added: “When we look at what happened when we changed charging in other car parks there wasn’t that much of a change. Of the five or so car parks that saw changes last year, we had no complaints from local businesses, and the income was in line with our projections.”