Leeds market town parking fees under fresh scrutiny as councillors demand review
Otley parking charges are facing major review after councillors pile on pressure
Parking charges in a Leeds market town are facing fresh scrutiny after councillors pushed for it to be included in a council review.
The council already announced a review of charges of up to £3.65 a day introduced last October in Wetherby, Horsforth, Rothwell, Garforth and Guiseley.
But Otley councillors appealed for their town to be included at a full council meeting at Leeds Civic Hall.
They also called for charges introduced separately at parks around the city, including Otley Chevin, to be reviewed.
Councillor Sandy Lay said: “Both introduce additional costs during a cost of living crisis for people simply going about their daily lives.”
James Gibson, the council’s executive member for environment, said he had offered to meet the Otley councillors to discuss the fees.
He said: “The reason Otley was left out was because these charges were introduced in the 1990s.
“At least now we are in the right place and a review is taking place.”
A Labour amendment asking council officers to review the Otley town centre fees was passed.
But the council would not review charges in the parks, saying they were introduced under a separate scheme.
Labour’s amendment said those charges generated income used to maintain and improve car parks at Roundhay, Temple Newsam, Golden Acre and Middleton parks, along with Otley chevin.
It said: “Council further notes the work done at Golden Acre Park, funded by the parking charges, including more accessible pedestrian access for people with mobility issues and improved disabled spaces.”
In July the council’s executive board voted to press ahead with the review of town centre charges.
A council report said the comprehensive review would look at financial performance and usage of the car parks.
The charges are in place at Wilderness and Station Gardens car parks in Wetherby, along with Fink Hill in Horsforth and Barleyhill Road, Garforth.
Marsh Street in Rothwell and Netherfield Road in Guiseley are also affected.