Controversial changes to parking charges across Calderdale are among a number of issues “under review”, says Calderdale Council’s new Reform administration.

The Courier reported last month how the council is proposing a new raft of parking amendments which include starting to charge for parking at Manor Heath and Ogden Water.

The plans – which people have until June 11 comment on – were approved by the previous Labour administration.

Some parking charge rises in towns including Brighouse and Hebden Bridge were brought in earlier this year, and these proposals mark a second tranche.

placeholder image — Ogden Water, Halifax.

The council said it looked at wider plans like regeneration projects, transport and road works to understand how parking demand might change, aiming to make the proposals fit together and align with its overall parking strategy.

But Reform UK took control of the council in May’s elections and have pledged to review parking charges on council-run spaces.

Responding to whether these new charges would go ahead in light of that pledge, Calderdale Council’s new cabinet member for public services, Coun Peter Hunt (Reform UK, Elland), said charges were among a number of issues under review.

“We are looking to review parking charges in the borough, along with a number of other decisions and policies agreed by the previous administration.

“We will provide more detail as these are considered,” he said.

An electronic petition organised by some Hebden Bridge residents against the introduction of charging at Heptonstall’s Towngate car park – also included in the new proposals – has so far received more than 500 signatures.

Some have commented on social media that they have to use the car park because their homes in the heritage village above Hebden Bridge have no off-street parking available.

Some ward councillors are also objecting, including the council’s Green group leader Martin Hey, about the proposed introduction of charges at the Towngate, Northowram, car park.

Coun Hey has said: “Whilst we all want a reduction in traffic in the village and less chaos around the school at drop off and pick up times, we don’t feel that this will help at all.

“Indeed, it’s likely to lead to lead to more cars parked on the roads, which certainly won’t help the congestion and road safety issues in the area.”