Kirklees car parking update with decision due after plans 'paused'

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A decision is on the horizon for the 'paused' plans to roll out fees in Kirklees’ free car parks and up permit charges.

Upon her election in July, Leader of Kirklees Council, Cllr Carole Pattison (Labour) announced she would be pausing controversial plans to bring in parking charges at locations that are currently free, across the borough’s towns and villages, with a review to be carried out.

Seemingly, this review extended to proposals for parking permits, with a report to Cabinet to be published next week ahead of its meeting on October 8 that will set out a way forward for both matters. Here, a decision will be made on the plans.

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The council says it has been consulting with Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL), regarding bringing in charges at free car parks, as well as relevant Business/Trade Chambers, Town & Parish Councils.

The unpopular plans for car parks were announced In a bid to help remedy the council’s financial challenges, with costs already increased across Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Holmfirth. The proposals would also see parking permits hit with a price hike, with the local authority looking to up the cost of residential permit charges by over 200 per cent.

Unsurprisingly, this has not gone down well with members of the public, elected members and local businesses, with the Lindley Lib Dems branding the permit plans as "unfair", 'punishing' residents already struggling in the Cost of Living Crisis.

Councillors from across the political spectrum have criticised the plans, and MP Kim Leadbeater wrote to Cllr Pattison back in July calling for the fees proposed for parking in towns and villages to be scrapped altogether.

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