Wakefield politicians give views on scrapping two hours free parking

The Reform UK-led authority last month agreed to end the scheme at all car parks across the district.

Senior councillors said the concession, which the previous Labour administration originally introduced, was “unsustainable and irresponsible” because it cost the local authority £1.8m a year

Jon Trickett, one of the district’s four Labour MPs, said he was concerned about the decision.

He said: “It’s important because of the cost of living crisis. Lots of people are struggling to get by.

“If you have to go to the chemist or shopping and you are suddenly being charged for something that was free, it hits you in the pocket.

Mr Trickett, who represents the Normanton and Hemsworth constituency, added: “More importantly, a lot of traders are now saying to me that less people are coming into Wakefield, Pontefract, Castleford and the other areas because they are being put off by the car parking charges.

“It’s affecting traders, it’s affecting employment.

“This is a retrograde step. They have passed it, it’s gone through the council, I hope they have a think about it because it’s a bad mistake.”

Nadeem Ahmed, Conservative councillor for Wakefield South ward, also wants the two-hour free parking offer to remain.

He said: “It encourages people to come here while we are competing against Leeds, Sheffield, White Rose Centre and Meadowhall.

“It’s not the only thing that makes people come in but it might be one of those things where we bring in new shoppers.”

Reform councillor Keith Anderson, the council’s cabinet portfolio holder for highways, transport and planning, defended the decision.

He said: “We have done the analysis. We have statistical data that goes back years on footfall and people parking.

“Introducing two hours of free parking has not changed their habits and the number of people parking.

“We are not actually going to impact how many people are going to park in town by doing it.

“A lot of our local towns are supported by the local communities actually walking into town, so it doesn’t really have a major impact on footfall.

“We were elected on a mandate to be fiscally wise – we need to have a balanced budget.

“The council has used up most of its reserves and we can’t just keep borrowing money to pay for services that aren’t statutory requirements.”

The two-hour free parking scheme is due to end early next year.

Councillors have also agreed to increase charges at most council-run car parks in the district and start a consultation on introducing a £1 evening parking rate.

They will also introduce a free 30-minute on-street parking period and remove a 15p fee to pay for parking digitally.