By Jill Stocks
Horsforth residents are invited to share their views on car parking charges set to be introduced at Fink Hill car park.
A public consultation on the TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) is set to end on the 14 March 2025.
Cash-strapped Leeds City Council will charge motorists will get up to one hour for free, then pay £1.15 for two hours, rising to a daily maximum of £3.65. Weekly tickets will be priced at £12.15.
Blue badge holders will be exempt from the new payments.
Cllr Emmie Bromley (Lab, Horsforth) encouraged people to have their say. She said: “Please contribute to and circulate the consultation as much as possible to those who live near or use Hall Park / Fink Hill car park.
“Feedback after the last consultation from residents voiced concern that this wasn’t engaged with enough by those that live around Hall Park. I hope there will be improvement on that this time.”
Cllr Ray Jones (Lab, Horsforth) added: “I will be voting for the charges but I remain concerned about the method of how it would be implemented and this is the view of all three Horsforth ward city councillors.”
Leader of the opposition, Cllr Alan Lamb (Cons), a vocal opponent of the charges and ward councillor for Wetherby, another of the areas affected by the introduction of such charges, urged the public to make their feelings known.
“I want to urge everyone to make their own views known on this proposal by contacting the Council during the consultation period,” he said. “Personally, I believe this will be hugely damaging to our local high streets and businesses, and is incredibly myopic. We need to be encouraging visitors, not giving them excuses to go elsewhere.”
Parking charges will also be introduced on Netherfield Road in Guiseley, Barleyhill Road in Garforth, Marsh Street in Rothwell and Wilderness and Station Gardens in Wetherby.
West Leeds Dispatch reported in December on the parking charges.
Full details of the proposals including a plan showing the affected areas are available by emailing districtcarparks@leeds.gov.uk.
Objections and representations regarding the TRO should be made in writing by post to Parking Services, Leeds City Council, PO Box 139, Leeds, LS9 1AA. Or via email to districtcarparks@leeds.gov.uk stating the specific grounds for objection.
Objections or representations must be made no later than 14 March 2025.
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Not much parking in Horsforth. People walking and taking children in the park are going to be charged for what should be a free activity for the community.
People in Horsforth pay high rates there should be some benefits.
This will lead to more street parking which in Itself brings its own problems.
Is the car park going to be resurfaced and lined if residents pay, doubtful.
. I have used it to take children and grandchildren to use the green space and playground. These should be free activities. Not everyone has lots of disposable income and if it does not stop some parents using the park, it may mean they
do not use it, or the shops/cafes as frequently. Could the council not see the bigger picture.