COACH parking in Otley town centre has been given a mixed response.

The drop off points in Boroughgate have been introduced to make it easier for coaches to off load visitors to the town.

Otley Town Partnership said people could be dropped in the town centre before coaches moved on to park off East Chevin Road.

But some have complained that it has meant the loss of valuable car parking places.

Clare Smith, of Pool Road, said it gave a bad impression for anyone driving into the town to see empty parking places.

"I suppose some coaches may come in the middle of the summer, but why have they made all this area no parking for cars all the time.

"I understand that the shops in Otley are not doing very well, and it is a fact that people who come on coaches do not usually spend as much as car drivers. I think it is a big mistake to make it more

difficult for cars to park."

But Councillor Phil Coyne, chairman of Otley Town Partnership, said the coach drop off points were good for the vitality of the town.

"It is something that the partnership wanted, there was nowhere for coaches to stop in town and unload and it did go out to full consultation."

Coun Coyne added he thought it might take people a little while to get used to it but in the end it would work for the benefit of the town.

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: "The coach parking zone in Boroughgate is one of a series of new parking measures which have recently been introduced in Otley in response to requests from local ward

councillors and members of the community. The scheme was

carried out after full consultation in the area.

"The intention is to provide a drop-off point for coaches, before they move on to the designated parking area outside the town centre on East Chevin Road.

"We have been contacted by a small number of individuals expressing concern about the changes and will be writing to them to explain the background and purpose of the scheme."