Town parking charges scrapped amid Christmas ‘shop local’ call
People are being urged to support their local businesses this Christmas after parking charges were scrapped in five town centres.
The fees to park in Wetherby, Horsforth, Garforth, Rothwell and Guiseley proved unpopular after being introduced last October.
They have now been abolished by Leeds City Council after a public consultation was held.
James Gibson, Labour’s executive member for environment, said the council always intended to review the charges.
He said: “That’s exactly what we’ve done. We’ve gone out. We’ve listened to businesses. We’ve listened to local people.”
The charges were scrapped with effect from November 9 following the council’s decision.
Coun Gibson said: “Let’s go out there over this Christmas period and support those local businesses.
“It’s free car parking now so there’s no excuse. Let’s shop local.”
The council said the fees raised more than £330,000 per year, but non-compliance with the charges was higher than expected.
The consultation found some drivers were parking on surrounding streets to avoid paying to use the car parks.
Wetherby councillor Penny Stables said parking charges should not be introduced until there was a better bus service for the town.
Coun Stables, who leads the Leeds Green Party, said: “We’ve been against parking charges from the very beginning.
“Ninety-seven per cent of people that filled out the consultation initially were against the charges being put in, and yet they still went ahead.
“We can’t have parking charges put in until we have a good enough public transport system.”
The charges were 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 were also affected.