Traders in Bingley are beginning to evaluate the cost the closure of Ireland Bridge will bring as they consider ways to entice customers into the town.

Business chiefs called for free town centre parking before the historic bridge was closed for six months on Monday, January 11, for important strengthening work.

Jamie Illingworth, chairman of Bingley Chamber of Trade, said the town had been quieter since the bridge’s closure.

He said: “We need to try to get people to actively come into Bingley, and obviously the free parking is one of those things that will help. We have to give people an incentive to come if we’re inconveniencing them.”

Bradford Council has said the investigation into the chamber’s request for free parking was still under way and a response should be ready by the end of the week.

Bingley Town Centre manager David Dinsey said: “As we expected, we lost the volume of traffic, which is noticeable. Now, whether we have lost the shoppers is debatable, because those that regularly shop in Bingley will find a way back to shop in Bingley.

“What I really want to get across is that we are open for business.”

Mr Dinsey said he will be trying to work with traders to help out while the bridge is closed.

He said: “We are in a rather strange situation at the moment where the town is being isolated. There’s not a great deal we can do while the bridge is closed because it’s stopping people coming across from the other side of the valley.

“We still have the access from Gilstead and Eldwick, but Wilsden and Harden people are not getting in because of the torturous route around at peak times, but we are still very much open for business.

“It could help with free parking – that could be an incentive to come in providing we were getting the right people coming in who want to park and shop.”