Parking charges to be introduced at historic lido

The fees are part of a raft of parking charges introduced across Bradford

Parking charges are to be introduced at an historic West Yorkshire lido.

Bradford Council said charges would come in to force at Ilkley Pool and Lido car park on Denton Road from 1 November.

It comes after the cash-strapped local authority introduced a raft of parking charges across the district, prompting anger among some residents.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, acknowledged parking charges were an "emotive issue" but said they were necessary due to "the current financial climate".

Visitors be charged £1 to park for one hour and £4 to park for more than four hours from Monday to Sunday, between 08:00 and 18:00.

Built in the 1930s, the lido attracts thousands of people to the area according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It has been under threat of closure since the council announced a review of its leisure centres having been saved from the edge of bankruptcy when the government agreed to provide "exceptional financial support".

Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "We understand parking charges are always an emotive issue but in the current financial climate we’ve had to make a number of tough choices to generate revenue in a sustainable and manageable manner.

"Revenue from parking charges goes towards maintaining and improving infrastructure, enforcing regulations and investing in sustainable transport initiatives.

"We try to take a consistent and fair approach across the district and this year have decided to introduce charges at Denton Road Car Park."

The council said people who have swimming lessons with Bradford Aquatics or are ClubActive members will not have to pay and will be given a parking permit covering the timescale of their lessons or membership.

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