BRADFORD Council is proposing to bring in a number of changes to parking in Ilkley.

The proposals include extending the free on street parking in pay and display period from 30 minutes to one hour and increasing short stay pay and display parking limit from two to three hours in the town centre, and four hours in some of the surrounding roads.

Staff permits could move from residential areas to long stay pay and display areas and the introduction of staff permit charges of £15 per annum for each weekday could be postponed until April 2021 and replaced with a £10 annual admin fee.

Long stay pay and display parking along New Brook Street and other local roads could be extended to accommodate staff permit holders.

To relieve congestion, waiting restrictions and permit parking may be extended on a number of roads including Kings Road and Grove Road.

New restrictions along Ben Rhydding Road near its junction with Cowpasture Road, along Denton Road and around various junctions and pinch points are designed to improve road safety, reduce parking congestion and improve traffic flow.

A coach parking bay could be moved to from West Street to Railway Road and will be extended from one hour to a maximum of two hours.

Additional protection measures could be added to crossings in order to improve road safety.

Limited waiting areas outside the town centre are proposed to encourage greater parking turnover and permit parking will be added to Craiglands Park.

Loading bays could be added to The Grove and parking charges on an area North Street could change to match the adjacent car park charges.

To view the proposals, visit www.bradford.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/highways/traffic-regulation-order or call 01274 431723.

Objections quoting CORP/PCD/AK/407422 can be made writing either by post or by e-mail to: legalobjections@bradford.gov.uk or City Solicitor, Legal and Democratic Services, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HYno later than noon on Friday, August 7, 2020.

The Council says the proposals are designed to enhance parking for local residents, improve traffic flow and increase road safety and the suggested changes could also support local businesses and assist the town’s economic recovery.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our consultations on parking in and around Ilkley over the past few years. We said from the start that we would consult on the first phase of the parking review in Ilkley and make any changes necessary to improve the scheme for residents and businesses in the town.

“We have listened carefully to feedback and think these proposals will help resolve the issues raised while addressing the longstanding problems around excessive and dangerous parking the changes were brought in to address in the first place.”

Helen Rhodes, Manager of Ilkley BID said: “We are pleased to see that the majority of issues we have continuously lobbied for have been taken into consideration. We realise that some businesses will be disappointed that there will be a charge for Workers Permits but the charge is significantly less than for similar permits in some other areas of the Bradford District and at less than £1.50 per week we hope employers and staff will think this is reasonable. As noted, there will be no charge this year in recognition of the current difficult economic situation.

“We are particularly pleased to see the introduction of one free hour and an increase to 3 or 4 hours in other areas. This should benefit many businesses including hair and beauty, whose clients were struggling to access spaces near the town centre that allowed a long enough stay, and of course retail and hospitality.”

Sarah Siddons BID Director and owner of Sarah Siddons Financial Planning added: “Most businesses have received a letter confirming that workers Special Permits are being extended until further notice. This is to allow the process above to be completed and give time for objections to be dealt with and new systems to be put in place. Therefore at this stage we do not have a date for moving to the new scheme, please assure your employees that the existing permits are still in force.”

Ilkley BID is asking if people make objections they copy in the BID dedicated email address for recording such contact - parking@ilkleybid.co.uk though this email address is not monitored daily.

Cllr Kyle Green (Con, Ilkley) said: “Whilst it is welcome that Bradford Council have finally started to undo the damage they have caused through the introduction of an ill thought through parking scheme, the changes do not go far enough. Evening charges for South Hawksworth Street Car Park must be removed, options to pay by card as well as by app must be introduced and the underlying issue of parking capacity must be addressed or the parking issues in Ilkley will not be resolved.”

Cllr Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) added: “These are definitely a move in the right direction. I would still push for free parking after 6pm in the carpark, starting at 10am the next day.”