BRADFORD Council has closed several of its car parks at locations across the district in a bid to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

The council hopes the move will encourage people to limit their journeys to essential travel only.

Locations where the closures have taken effect include Cliffe Castle, Keighley; the Bronte Village Car and Coach Park, Bronte Parsonage Museum car park and Penistone Hill, at Haworth, and St Ives, Harden.

Bradford Council says that during the past week, increased numbers of people have been driving to beauty spots and overcrowding them.

Under the Government regulations, people are allowed to go out for exercise, but must stay close to home.

Police can issue a £60 fixed penalty notice – reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days – to anyone flouting the rules.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, said: “People have got to understand that the Government is telling them to stay at home for a simple reason – we need to save lives.

"People should not be making unnecessary journeys.

"Unfortunately, we’ve seen that people aren’t following this advice, which gives us no choice but to close the car parks for these sites. Please follow the Government’s guidance and stay at home!”

Full list of locations where council car parks are now closed:

• Cow and Calf

• Whetstone Gate

• Ilkley Lido

• Riverside Gardens

• Darwin Gardens

• Haworth – Bronte Village Car and Coach park, Weavers Hill

• Haworth Bronte Parsonage Museum car park

• St Ives Low Park, Golf Club & Coppice Pond and Play Area car parks

• Lister Park car park

• Cliffe Castle car parks

• Baildon Moor car park

• Penistone Hill Dimple Lane Quarry and Moorside Lane