CONTROVERSIAL changes to parking charge arrangements throughout the district are likely to be approved by Bradford Council next week

Changes proposed in this year’s Council budget are to be discussed by the decision making Executive next Tuesday.

The proposals include the introduction of parking charges at St Ives in Bingley, and charging periods in certain Bingley car parks being extended to after 6pm and on Sundays.

There had been 26 objections to the Bingley car parks and 24 objections to the plans in St Ives.

Other changes will affect car parks in Shipley, Wilsden and Ilkley Lido.

The changes will also see a discount introduced in the city centre Crown Court car park for people wanting to charge electric cars at 60p-an-hour, for up to two hours, instead of having to pay the full day price. There is also a new car park in Vicar Lane in the city centre.

The Executive had been advised to overrule the objections and if they do the changes will be introduced over the next few months.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said: “Since 2010 we’ve faced around £250m of central Government cuts so we have had to look at a range of areas to try to offset that.

“Parking in Bradford is still amongst the cheapest in the country overall and any money raised from parking is re-invested in the service.

“We’ve also been able to use this review to bring in some much requested long-stay parking in Shipley and cheaper parking for electric vehicle users to charge their cars in the city centre.

“The income generated will be reinvested to maintain existing car parks and improve parking provision in the district.”

The Executive meets at 10.30am in City Hall on Tuesday June 12.