By Jill Stocks
Horsforth Town Council have requested a review of parking charges at Fink Hill in Horsforth which have proved very unpopular with local residents and those from further afield since their introduction.
The Fink Hill car park provides nearby parking for people wishing to use the many businesses on Town Street and for those wishing to use Hall Park.
It was agreed at last week’s meeting of the Planning, Licensing and Traffic Committee of the Town Council that a letter be submitted to Leeds City Council asking for a review of the charges which local businesses say are having an adverse affect on trade.
The letter asks for a financial review to ascertain whether there has been a financial benefit or if the parking scheme is in fact operating at a loss. It also addresses the issue of customers gaining access to Town Street businesses, saying that many consider the charges a barrier to using them, and it requests a timetable for the removal of the charges.
Horsforth Town Team member businesses have anecdotally reported a drop in trade since the charges were introduced and local residents have reported their concerns regarding displaced parking on nearby streets which is also mentioned in the letter.
In the letter to LCC the Town Council says that retaining the charges must be justified: “Should the scheme be shown to be loss-making the Town Council considers that the adverse impact on local businesses, residents and the wider town centre would outweigh any justification for retaining the charges.
“In those circumstances we would urge Leeds City Council to set out, as a matter of urgency, a timetable for the removal of parking charges at Fink Hill.”
Cllr Ray Jones (Lab, Horsforth), said: “As we had experience of a free car park becoming chargeable (car park behind the Black Bull) we warned both the City Council and the Highways Officers that introducing parking charges would leave the car park underused and lead to more vehicles parking on surrounding roads.
“We requested a six-month review to assess whether the car park was generating any income. We also asked for the review to include the cost of installing and maintaining the parking machines, together with the total revenue collected, so that a full picture of the financial impact could be considered.
“We also questioned what happens when both machines are not working, as happened recently.
“We have kept the pressure on Highways Officers and recently had a positive meeting with the Executive Member, who took our concerns seriously.
“We remain committed to securing the removal of these charges and will continue to campaign for a common-sense approach that supports residents and visitors.”
Executive board to discuss issue
Members of Leeds City Council’s decision-making executive board will consider a report which proposes a review of district parking charges and public consultation at next Wednesday’s executive board meeting at Leeds Civic Hall (1pm).
The review would include Fink Hill, Wilderness and Station Gardens in Wetherby, Barleyhill Road in Garforth, Marsh Street in Rothwell and Netherfield Road, Guiseley.
The proposed review will provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the scheme, including financial performance, usage and wider local impacts. Subject to approval, consultation will start in August, with a further report to Executive Board in November setting out findings and recommendations.
Consultation will include a public survey to understand car park usage patterns, engagement with local businesses on impacts on trade and footfall and input from ward members and stakeholders.
The report says parking charges introduced in town centres around Leeds are estimated to be raising the city council almost £340,000 a year.
Charges apply after parking for one hour, up to a maximum daily charge of £3.65. Weekly tickets cost £12.15.
The report said the charges were helping the council raise funds and pay for maintenance of the car parks. It added: “Any future changes to charging arrangements may have financial implications which will need to be considered alongside budget requirements.
“Estimated income from district car park charging is currently in the region of £337,000 per annum.”
The full council report, which will form the basis of next week’s debate, can be read here.
Review welcomed by opposition leader
Conservative group leader Councillor Alan Lamb (Wetherby) said the proposed review would be a ‘welcome first step’.
He said: “When these charges were proposed, more than 6,000 people in Wetherby alone responded to the consultation, with around 97% objecting. Residents, businesses and community organisations were clear that these charges would damage our town.
“Over the past year, many of the concerns people raised have sadly become reality. We’ve seen parking displaced onto surrounding residential streets, confusion over the payment system leading to unnecessary fines, volunteers having to pay simply to give up their time, people facing difficult choices about work, and businesses telling us they’re seeing fewer visitors. Even the main car park has often been noticeably quieter at times when it would previously have been full.”
He added: “This has been a genuine cross-community effort across Leeds. I’d particularly like to recognise the work of Paul Alderson in Guiseley and Chris Calvert in Horsforth, together with Liberal Democrat colleagues, the Social Democratic Party and independent councillors in Garforth and Morley, who have all worked hard to make the case for change in their own communities.
“If the review is approved, I will also be pressing for it to include parking charges at our city parks, including Roundhay Park, Golden Acre Park and Otley Chevin, where many residents have raised similar concerns about the impact of these charges.”
Additional reporting: John Baron and
Don Mort, local democracy reporter