Parking meter vandalised after charges introduced

Parking meters and a sign have been vandalised at Roundhay Park in Leeds following the introduction of charges at a number of beauty spots in West Yorkshire.

The damage was discovered at the weekend, according to Leeds City Council, leaving the machines unable to process some payment options.

The local authority introduced charges at five parks in February "to fund necessary maintenance and better facilities", but the move was met with opposition from some park users.

A council spokesperson said they understood that some people were unhappy about paying to visit the park, but "vandalising the machines is unacceptable".

The authority introduced charges of £1 for up to two hours, £2.50 for half a day and £4 for a full day.

The change aimed to save £63.9m to help the authority balance its budget for the coming financial year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A council spokesperson said: "While we understand that not everyone is happy about the necessary introduction of parking charges, vandalising the machines is unacceptable, and we ask that anyone with information comes forward."

The spokesperson said damage to the machines, which are now out of service, was impacting "visitor experience" of the parks.

"Visitors will still need to pay the relevant parking charges," they said.

"However, due to the vandalism, the number of payment options has now been limited."

The council previously said it could cost up to £3,500 to replace each parking meter previously damaged at Otley Chevin and Golden Acre Park in February.

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