'Hour's free parking is vital for town businesses'

Shoppers and business owners in Ilkley are urging officials to rethink plans to scrap a permitted hour of free parking in the town due to fears its removal will drive visitors away.

Bradford Council has proposed introducing a simplified "two-tier" system of parking charges at car parks it runs across the district, with either short- or long-stay fees in effect around the clock.

In the spa town of Ilkley, a one-hour "grace period" of free parking allowed before charges kick in would end. There would also be a removal of rebates for evening and bank holiday usage.

Mother Louise Nicholls, who is expecting her second child, said cheap parking close to amenities was a bonus for parents whose children are too young to walk far.

She added that parking costs already added pressure to tight family budgets.

"Obviously, you don't want to be walking too far when you've got two little ones in tow. So having somewhere in the centre that's not too expensive is really useful.

"If me and my husband are coming in in the evening especially, that's quite nice. It means we can park up for free and not have to worry. It'll be a real shame if that's gone."

Over at the Jefferson Buckley hair salon, every chair was full as ladies had their hair done and chatted away.

"The general feeling is it's just ridiculous," said one stylist, who asked not to be named.

"And it's just so complicated."

Reminded that the council says it's trying to simplify the system, she said: "It's not good enough. It's already hard enough from this economic crisis we're in. It's just making everything harder. "

Willow Thomas, another stylist, also thought the current system was "confusing" as there were "so many different meters to pay at and older people especially get confused".

Of scrapping the grace periods, she added: "I just think it's expensive for people that are coming and spending money in local shops."

Customer Amy Jauregui, who was having her hair done by Willow, said "five or 10 minutes' grace" should be standard, but she also felt areas like Ilkley were treated as "a bit of a cash cow".

Tourists John and Alison Marriott were visiting Ilkley from Manchester, a trip they make several times a year - but which they could now reconsider the frequency of.

"They're going to lose business. I've seen it happen in other cities," suggested John.

"People go elsewhere to the big shopping centres which have free parking all day, and local businesses will take a hit."

Alison added that removing any small grace periods was "very disappointing" and urged Bradford Council to "reconsider".

Meanwhile shop worker Salman Khaliq, who works at Ilkley Mobiles, said the free hour enabled customers to "pop in" rather than pay for a longer stay.

"Sometimes customers only have to come into a shop for five minutes and they have to pay for an hour ticket," he said.

"If there is free parking, definitely I will have good business. There's going to be no free parking at all anywhere now."

Bradford Council's public consultation on the issue remains open until 2 July .

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