Labour-run Bradford Council have confirmed that as from the 19th January, Ilkley's one hour free on-street parking will disappear and parking charges will apply from 8am to 8pm, every day, including bank holidays - with the exception of 160 spaces on New Brook Street, Kings Road and Cowpasture Road.
Councillor Andrew Loy and local resident Richard Downey led the fight to stop these changes. They said:
"As a result of the backlash from local residents, with over 1,500 signing our petition
, as well as opposition from the BID and local businesses, we saw a partial U-turn in October, when the Council announced that free parking would be retained on three roads - but that is nowhere near enough.
We have been clear that the Council should scrap the parking charge hike and go back to the drawing board and we will continue to campaign for this."
Robbie Moore MP also through his weight behind their campaign and said:
"Bradford Council justify their decision by stating the changes “introduce a simplified tariff structure which will be easier for visitors to understand and will improve the customer experience".
Is this not the biggest load of codswallop you have ever heard?
Bradford Council should scrap these plans immediately, and whilst the are at it scrap parking charges all together across the whole town.
Our hospitality sector, our retailers and our many small independent businesses are being hammered by tax increases brought in by this Labour government and now, yet again, they are being hammered by our Labour controlled Council."
