Heated row erupts over Calderdale car park charging hours extension and new fees on Sunday and Bank Holidays

Drivers using some Calderdale car parks at certain times will have to pay to park from September, councillors heard in an at times acrimonious discussion.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet agreed last night (June 1) to extend existing charging hours from 6pm to 8pm in Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and West Vale, to introduce charging in Halifax town centre on Sundays and to introduce Bank Holiday charging in Halifax town centre and Hebden Bridge, subject to a consultation.

With opposition Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors invited to comment on the issue being considered by ruling group Labour councillors, some political sparring ensued.

Coun Susan Press (Lab, Todmorden), Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities said the council had to proactively encourage people to use alternative ways of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport to help address climate emergency, air quality and public health issues in the latest two-yearly review which was now due.

“It’s not about being anti-car – we have to be serious about improving air quality, helping people live longer and healthier lives, and tackling climate change.

“The upshot is we need to manage vehicles and their use much better than we have in the past,” she said.

Coun Steven Leigh said he did not disagree with the recommendations but had concerns about the timing and impact on businesses, which were hoping to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

“The high streets and town centres are in very, very difficult circumstances and some might argue this is not what we want to do, putting the price of parking up when they are really struggling,” he said.

The consultation should be as robust and wide ranging as it could be because businesses in Halifax and Hebden bridge should have their say, said Coun Leigh (Con, Ryburn).

Coun James Baker raised concerns about the effect of extending evening charging on businesses such as restaurants and had concerns about the selective nature of where charging would be extended – the fact some areas were seeing no increases suggested economics was an issue.

“It is a question of fairness as well as economic impact,” he said.

He said more than 500 people had already signed a petition against extending charging and he wanted to see more carrot than stick, for example people who drove electric cars allowed to park for free.

Some drivers had health issues or had limited means and needed to use their car or van for work.

“It’s worth remembering a lot of people do have mobility issues and walking or cycling long journeys, they don’t have that option,” he said.

Coun Baker (Lib Dem, Warley) said he would rather see small increases in charging across the board rather than some places being singled out.

Coun Adam Wilkinson (Lab, Sowerby Bridge) said representatives of other councils were amazed at how low Calderdale’s charges for parking were, partly because increases or extensions in the past had been discussed but too often issues had not been dealt with.

“Having no overall control on the council has been part of that because Cabinets were scared to do it.

“Now we have got overall control we have to be bold and be seen to be doing the right thing,” he said, adding that should be the case even if it was unpopular.

Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) criticised Coun Baker, saying “some of those green credentials seem to be worn quite lightly on this issue” and said there were issues with some drivers using free parking to clog up spaces which could be used by shoppers.

Coun Scott Patient (Lab, Luddenden Foot), who is Cabinet member for Climate Change, said of extending charging: “This doesn’t need to be negative – what they will mean for most places is another 40p or 50p for an evening trip.

“It won’t be popular with everyone but I believe it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

The changes should also bring in cash and the council estimates that if approved the extra charging period will being in £143,600 in revenue, although there would be one-off costs of around £94,000 initially and some smaller ongoing annual costs, councillors were told.