A new parking policy aims to meet the needs of both residents and businesses in outlying parts of Keighley and surrounding villages.

Bradford council will clarify the way it issues permits to allow parking by householders, business people, shopkeepers and customers.

The needs of households and businesses often clash with too many people chasing too few parking places. Some businesses have been adversely affected.

Competition for parking places is particularly intense where houses are close to shops, colleges, leisure facilities and industrial premises.

There are currently 80 outstanding requests for small-scale parking permit schemes across the district, and the council does not have the cash or staff time to meet the increasing demand.

The new scheme will involve a mix of permits for residents and businesses, and time-restricted spaces for visitors.

Residents' permits will be issued to one car per private household, and two cars for businesses with no off-street parking.

Elderly or disabled residents with no car will be given special permits for their carers, and residents' visitors must use the household permit.

Requested permit areas in Keighley include Broomhill Avenue, Gale Street, Highfield Street, Holker Street, Lund Street, Kendal Mellor Court, Spencer Street, Mornington Street, North Queen Street and the Devonshire Street area.

They also include East Terrace in Cross Roads, Gas Street, Mytholmes Lane in Haworth, Park Avenue in Oakworth and Oak Grove in Ingrow.

The new rules will be enforced by police, traffic wardens and council parking attendants, with some income from fines going to the council.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.