FREE parking at popular reservoirs, Thruscross, Swinsty and Fewston, looks set to end with visitors being charged up to £5 a day to use the car parks.

Yorkshire Water is planning to start charging at four of its reservoirs, also including Langsett in South Yorkshire.

It says money raised will be invested back into its reservoirs and help put an end to anti-social behaviour, such as fly-tipping.

Earlier this year, the water company made improvements to its car park at Thruscross, off the A59 between Skipton and Harrogate. It also made safety improvements to the circular walk around Swinsty, and was forced to close the walk at Thruscross for a time, after hundreds of trees were brought down in storms.

It says planning permission will be sought for the parking meters this month and, if approved, meters will be installed for a trial period later this year.

A private company has already been chosen to manage the parking which will see visitors being charged £1 for an hour, £2 for two hours, £3 for six hours, and £5 for a full day. Regular visitors will also be able to buy an annual pass for £30.

Yorkshire Water says income raised through the parking charges will be reinvested across its sites to deliver nature conservation, countryside management and improvement of facilities at reservoir sites.

It says charges will also contribute towards the first ever in-house Yorkshire Water ranger team, which will include nine area rangers to ensure visitors have a positive experience on site, complete maintenance and tackle anti-social behaviour which poses a threat to people, wildlife and the environment.

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside advisor at Yorkshire Water said: “We know how important our sites are to local communities and visitors alike.

"We have thought long and hard about the way people use our sites before implementing this trial, as well as considering approaches at similar sites around the country. "We believe a small parking fee and increased security will help to dissuade anti-social behaviour, such as fly-tipping, at our sites but also have a long-term positive impact in terms of the projects we can deliver in the future."

He added: “Our brand-new, in-house ranger team will be supported as a direct result of introducing these charges and we have a wide range of exciting conservation, community and facilities enhancements lined up for the future.

“We are collaborating with local authorities and local stakeholders to ensure the introduction of these tariffs causes minimal disruption and we will be working hard to ensure all our visitors are aware of the charges before they arrive at our sites.”

Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions has been selected to operate the parking meters, if they are approved.

ANPR automatic number plate recognition cameras will be installed at the sites and visitors will be able to pay via card payment on site, the Ring Go app and by telephone.

Visitors without means to pay will also be able to call the phoneline later in the day to pay.