SIR – I was very interested to read of Bradford Council’s plans to introduce pay parking into Ilkley town centre.There are three points that ought to be considered before this plan is introduced.
Firstly, Bradford announced its plan on the very same day that Mary Portas issued a much-publicised report into revitalising the nation’s shops and high streets. The key point of her report is that free parking is vital to the vitality of a town’s high streets, especially for the continued financial stability of the smaller, independent shops.
Secondly, the only reason why Bradford wants to introduce payment for parking is to generate extra revenue for the Council. It seems to be ignoring the key factor that under the Highways Acts, the introduction of payment for on-street parking can only be made to assist the flow of traffic. Introducing it for the purposes of just raising extra revenue is illegal.
Thirdly, should we be suspicious of the timing of this proposal? The only major advantage that supermarkets (such as Tesco) have over the high street is their free parking.
Peter Bryson, Stockeld Road, Ilkley
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