NEW parking measures, including longer periods of free parking, have been introduced in Ilkley.

The changes were proposed as part of the consultation on the Ilkley Parking Review Phase Two and include an increase from half an hour free parking to an hours free parking in the town centre, and an increase in on-street parking to at least three hours and in some places four hours.

Bradford Council says the changes will help support businesses in the reopening after lockdown.

Improvements to parking in Ilkley are being put in place today and tomorrow in time for the weekend.

The Council will contact local businesses about the renewal of their business permits, and as previously announced, the proposed charges will be waived for another year so they will incur a basic admin fee of £10 a permit.

Move to virtual parking permits causing distress to Ilkley residents

Julian Jackson, Assistant Director of Planning Transport and Highways, said: “Demand for parking in Ilkley has been high for a number of years, with residents, businesses, commuters and visitors all competing for a limited number of on and off street parking spaces.

“These improvements are a response to the findings of our monitoring of parking usage in the town and also surveys.

"We have tried to balance the needs of residents as well as businesses and their customers and staff, as well as commuters and visitors by allowing longer stays in the town centre, removing workers from residential areas, extending restrictions where necessary, and extending long stay pay and display parking to accommodate additional demand.”