Parking charges for beauty spots despite concerns

Otley Chevin is among five places where parking charges will be introduced

Parking charges are to be introduced at five popular parks in Leeds, despite efforts to persuade council bosses to reconsider.

Charges will be brought in at Golden Acre, Middleton and Roundhay parks, along with Temple Newsam and Otley Chevin.

Leeds City Council will impose the charges - which will cost £4 for a full day - to raise money as it must save £63.9m to balance its budget this financial year.

The decision was discussed by the Environment, Housing and Communities scrutiny board following a formal request by opposition councillors - but the council ruled the plans would go ahead.

'Modest charges'

Concerns were raised at the meeting, including that motorists could use side streets to avoid paying, causing traffic problems for people living nearby.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Wetherby Conservative councillor Norma Harrington said: “In places like the Chevin, it’s a bad area to try and park and drive to, so we are very concerned about that.”

There were also fears that people would lose out on the health benefits of parks if they could not afford the new fees.

Caroline Anderson, Conservative member for Adel and Wharfedale, said: “I think this decision is a complete false economy and it hasn’t been thought through.”

Charges will also be brought in at Roundhay Park

Dean Hardy, who spoke on behalf of Temple Newsam Golf Club, said parking charges would push fees closer to the cost of paying for a private club.

He said: “You’re creating an environment where you’re discouraging people from using the council facility.”

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Spaces, said the financial challenge was unprecedented.

He said: “I can assure board members the decision to implement modest parking charges is not a decision that has been taken lightly.”

The new charges are £1 for up to two hours, £2.50 for half a day and £4 for a full day.

Monthly and annual season tickets will be available and parking will be free for blue badge holders.

James Rogers, the council’s Director of Communities, Housing and Environment, said: “We very much appreciate that introducing any new charges is not going to be popular.

“There charges we are proposing to introduce are modest.”

In a majority vote, councillors agreed to release the parking charges decision for implementation.

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