Leeds council urged to cut city parking fees
- Published
Leeds council is being urged to reduce the price of car parking fees in the city amid concerns the high charges could be affecting trade.
Conservative councillor Andrew Carter is calling for city centre parking to be free on the last Saturday before Christmas.
Mr Carter also wants to see the introduction of a permanent 20% decrease in parking charges.
The Labour-run council said it would be examining parking costs.
Charges at some city centre car parks range from £1 for 30 minutes to up to £7.80 for five hours.
Mr Carter said he believed the parking costs were putting people off and they were more likely to use shopping centres out of the city.
A Leeds City Council spokesman said: "We are looking at car parking and the effect of car parking charges as part of the council's response to the cuts in funding as a result of the Spending Review."
He added: "We would like to assure local businesses that the preservation and promotion of Leeds' economy will be high on the list of considerations. We want Leeds to continue to be the regions number one shopping destination."