Local elected members have attacked Bradford Council for breaking a commitment to introduce complimentary parking.
The initiative, announced by the Reform-led executive earlier in the year, had encompassed 60 minutes of no-cost parking at municipal car parks, complimentary evening parking commencing at 6pm, and free parking at sports facilities and certain visitor destinations during educational institution breaks.
However, during discussions held earlier this month, members acknowledged the scheme could not proceed because of budget constraints.
Alun Griffiths, representing Idle and Thackley for the Liberal Democrats, expressed firm disagreement with the justifications provided by Reform leadership.
Griffiths noted that repeated assurances regarding parking improvements had been offered, including after the administration assumed control and possessed full knowledge of the council’s fiscal position.
The Liberal Democrat member questioned whether effective governance remained possible under the current leadership, suggesting that accountability appeared absent.
A formal written request would be submitted to the council leader and relevant portfolio holder demanding confirmation that at minimum certain parking fees might be abolished when the next spending plan is drafted.
Conservative members representing Ilkley and Addingham also voiced strong displeasure, particularly concerning modifications to roadside parking tariffs that were brought in during the earlier part of the year.
Councillors Jane Sellers, Richard Downey, and Andrew Loy stated that sustained efforts on this important matter had continued since the preceding Labour administration’s harmful alterations to Ilkley’s on-street parking fees were introduced.
Following engagement with Reform leadership, optimism existed that sensible reversal would occur during the summer season, providing timely support for local enterprises ahead of the festive shopping season.
The subsequently announced adjustments to council-operated car parks, while not directly tackling Ilkley’s on-street parking issue, represented a positive development that would have benefited local traders.
The failure to deliver this commitment as pledged was therefore met with considerable disappointment.
The trio maintained that full reversal of the changes remained achievable if political determination existed, and efforts on behalf of Ilkley residents would persist until such outcomes materialised.
Bradford Council leader Stephen Place had communicated in July that the proposals would undergo review at a gathering of the executive in September.
Councillor Ian Walker, serving as Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, indicated that the council presently lacked the capacity to introduce the enhanced parking arrangements and that the proposals had not reached a stage suitable for presentation at the September executive meeting.