By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A consultation WILL be launched into the impact of controversial town centre parking charges – including Fink Hill in Horsforth.
Council leaders today decided to press ahead with a review of charges introduced last year in Wetherby, Horsforth, Rothwell, Garforth and Guiseley.
People and businesses will be asked for their views on the fees of up to £3.65 a day.
Leeds City Council said the charges were needed to raise cash and pay for maintenance.
But fears have been raised over the economic impact of the cost of parking.
The council’s executive board this afternoon (Wednesday, 22 July) voted to go ahead with the review at a Civic Hall meeting.
Alan Lamb, who leads the city’s Conservative group, was among critics of the charges. He told the meeting: “This was a mistake to start with.”
A report to the meeting said the comprehensive review would look at financial performance and usage of the car parks.
The charges came into force last October while the council was majority controlled by Labour.
James Gibson, Labour’s executive member for environment, said: “Let’s not forget why we had to introduce car park charges. It came off the back of 15 years of huge cuts to Leeds City Council.”
Coun Lamb, who represents Wetherby, said some people were struggling to take jobs in the towns affected because of the cost of parking.
He said: “I can see that the car parks are now half full instead of full, as they were. I can see people parking on residential streets.”
Coun Lamb also proposed that Otley was included in the review of charges. He was told the town was outside the scope of the consultation.
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.
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The only reasons to park your car in Horsforth is to go to the shops,the park or in respect of employment.
I have noticed that there is less cars in Town Street which presumably means that shops are finding less customers.This makes no sense at all.You only have to look around at other areas where parking charges have been introduced or raised and you see that footfall declines and shops disappear.In a climate where jobs are at a premium this again makes no sense.