Kirklees Council has backed down over plans to scrap free parking in 57 council car parks.

In a second major U-turn, the council is set to ditch plans to introduce charges in all its free car parks across the district.

Under the new proposals 42 car parks will remain free while the 15 others will have the first two hours free before charges kick in.

Parking will remain free in Almondbury, Golcar, Honley, Lindley, Lockwood, Marsh, Milnsbridge, Netherton, New Mill, Denby Dale, Emley, Kirkburton, Scissett, Shepley and Skelmanthorpe.

The council has also back-tracked over the cost of residential parking permits, which currently cost a one-off fee of £15.

The previous Labour administration under Clr Cathy Scott had intended to raise the cost of a permit to £50 a year but that will now be reduced to £35 a year.

The council’s new Labour leader, Clr Carole Pattison, had “paused” the introduction of charges in free car parks while she reviewed the policy.

There had been a public outcry in many villages where traders and small businesses feared for their livelihoods.

Thousands of people signed petitions in Meltham and Honley. In total there were 11 petitions across the district signed by 15,170 people. There were also 3,231 individual objections.

Car parks which will see charging applied, after the first two hours, have been identified based on their capacity to hold over 25 cars, not their location. The car parks have between 28 and 140 spaces.

The 15 car parks are as follows:

Meltham – Carlile Street

Holmfirth – Huddersfield Road – Sands

Marsden – Standedge

Slaithwaite – New Street

Mirfield – Station Road

Batley – Field Lane, Henrietta Street, Market Place, New Way, Station Road, Wards Hill

Birstall – High Street

Cleckheaton – Crown Street, St John’s Road/Bradford Road, Town Hall rear (Church St).

Charges after the first two hours will be 80p an hour or £6.50 for a full day (a full breakdown is on the graphic below).

 

Cash is also being phased out under the changes as the council doesn’t want to collect it from new locations. Pay-and-display machines will be installed in car parks with more than 50 spaces but payment is only by credit or debit card.

Payment for parking in car parks with less than 50 spaces will be by phone, smartphone app, calling, text message or via the website.

Those wanting to park for two hours free will be expected to display a ticket or log two hours free parking using the smartphone app.

Residential parking permits (specific to vehicle registration and with no limit per household) will cost £35 a year (£24.50 to Kirklees Passport holders) but annual open visitor permits will be even more expensive than originally planned.

Visitor permits are currently £15 per year and the previous increase was due to be £50 a year. Now it will be £60 a year (£42 for Kirklees Passport holders).

The council estimates that the permit rises alone will raise an additional £279,110, assuming 90% of existing permit holders renew.

All the changes are due to be approved by the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday October 8 and the council says it wants to introduce the new parking charges “as soon as possible.”

 

Staying free – car park in Honley. Image by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE

 

Clr Munir Ahmed, Cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “Thousands of local residents responded to public consultations on both parking proposals.

“In light of this feedback, one of our first decisions as a new Cabinet was to pause the initial proposals and conduct a thorough review.

“Parking charges have remained static for the last 14 years. Unfortunately, the current financial climate means the council is no longer able to sustain the price freeze.

“But we’ve listened to concerns and we think the new plans are proportionate and fairer for residents and businesses.

“The proposed introduction of parking fees and increases to residential permits are not decisions we take lightly and it’s important we balance the financial needs of the council whilst taking into consideration local views.”

The new administration has already overturned controversial plans for the operation of smaller libraries. The previous administration wanted to remove council staff completely and hand over the management to volunteers.

 

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