A COUNCILLOR has urged residents to make last-minute objections against proposed car parking plans in Baildon, but fears it is a “done deal” by Bradford Council.

Bradford Council is undergoing a public consultation with residents to remove the free first hour of parking at car parks at both Ian Clough Hall in Hall Cliffe and The Grove in Baildon town centre.

The proposals, released in a letter from the authority’s parking services department, suggest a charge of 30p for the first hour of parking at both sites, between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

People have until noon on Friday, November 25, to object to the council’s city solicitor over the parking proposals.

But a Bradford Council spokesman confirmed all public objections would be passed on to its Executive Committee.

Cllr Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon) said: “We are doing all we can to get people to support us but it seems like a done deal. I’m confident we have the support of people in Baildon.

“Some people, including shopkeepers, had no idea it was coming in. People are worried about it.

“People who have responded so far have received replies which all start with ‘A decision was taken as part of the Council budget to remove the free period at Ian Clough’. This implies the decision has already been taken. Is this a genuine consultation?

“The Council should be encouraging local business, not trying to stop it.”

Baildon Town Council has also criticised the plans, but suggested a compromise of Bradford Council offering five free parking spaces for the first hour in both car parks, if the charges are introduced.

John Turner, chairman of Baildon Town Council’s economic committee, said: “The residents and shopkeepers are not happy that they may have to get tickets now.

“We wrote to the council with our suggestion, but not had any reply whatsoever.

“We feel quite strongly about it. We understand the Council do need to raise money due to cuts, but penalising the people of Baildon is the wrong way to do it.”

Bradford Council claims a number of changes have been agreed for car parks across the district which include amendments to car parks.

A Council spokesman said: “The consultation period ends on November 25. All objections will be passed to the Council’s Executive Committee.”

To object to the parking proposal, write to City Solicitor, Legal and Democratic Services, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, quoting reference LEG/PCD/SPN/73360.

Cllr Davies said comments can also now be e-mailed to stephen.nelson@bradford.gov.uk quoting the above reference.

MORE TOP STORIES