U-turn on council leader's free parking pledge

A pledge by Bradford Council's leader to introduce free parking across the district is currently "not deliverable", the authority has confirmed.

The council's Reform executive said decision makers were "not yet able to implement" a shake-up of existing parking restrictions – including a free hour for drivers at council-owned car parks – that was announced earlier this summer.

It would have reversed, to a large extent, an earlier decision by the previous Labour-run administration to scrap some free and evening parking.

Ian Walker, the council's spokesman for neigbourhoods and communities, said: We appreciate that residents will be frustrated."

In July, council leader Stephen Place posted a video on Bradford Council's social media pages to announce several changes to parking across the district.

The announcement claimed the changes would go before a meeting of the executive in September to be ratified.

The Reform leader's announcement said: "Since we formed the administration in May this year, there's been a lot of noise about car parking and, of course, we've been listening.

"I do have three announcements, but they are subject to ratification in September at the executive meeting.

"So, number one, during the week, if you need to pop and shop, you get one hour's free parking in Bradford-owned car parks.

"Also, in the evening, to help the night-time economy, car parking from 18:00 onwards will be free.

"And the final part of our announcement is that leisure centres and certain visitor attractions throughout the school holidays will be completely free to help you take your kids out and have a good day."

The proposals were not on the agenda for the September meeting, held on Tuesday morning.

But they were briefly mentioned in a discussion about the proposed reopening of the Sugden End tip.

Councillor Ian Eglin, the council's Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources, said in passing, while discussing the council's current financial situation, that the proposed changes had been postponed

After the meeting the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the council for clarity on the comments.

Walker, Bradford Council's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said: "Despite every best effort from the cabinet, we are not yet able to implement improved car parking measures at Bradford Council-owned sites.

"Due to financial pressures felt by the local authority, such proposals are not deliverable in the short term and therefore were not ready for ratification at the September Executive Meeting.

"However, it remains our firm view that free car parking would provide relief for shoppers and support our local retail and night time economy.

"We appreciate that residents will be frustrated by delayed progress.

"Your administration shares this frustration and is committed to exploring other options, with a view towards future introduction of improved car parking measures in the next financial year."

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