Petition against free parking cut hits 1,000 names

A petition objecting to plans to scrap an initial hour of free parking for drivers in a West Yorkshire town has garnered more than 1,000 names.

Bradford Council plans to cancel the free 60 minutes in some parts of Ilkley as part of what it says is a simplified new "two-tier" system of parking charges at on-street spaces across the wider district.

However some in Ilkley fear that ending the grace period - introduced five years ago in response to public feedback - could impact tourism.

Alex Ross-Shaw, the councillor in charge of regeneration, planning and transport, said: "It's important to note that these changes are currently proposals for people consider."

Under the new rules, drivers would be charged either £1 or £1.50 per hour, depending on their parking location.

The hours drivers would be liable to pay are also due to be extended and would include bank holidays.

Businesses and shoppers previously told the BBC the planned changes were "ridiculous" and "not good enough" in terms of supporting the local economy.

The Ilkley petition said the current arrangements had worked well since 2020, when they were introduced after feedback to a "contentious" parking scheme brought in a year earlier.

Alex Ross-Shaw, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, added: "Anyone wishing to give feedback has a few weeks to do so."

The council's consultation runs until 2 July.

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