Drivers face paying to park for longer in these Calderdale towns

Calderdale Council’s leaders will consider whether or not to extend the periods in which drivers will have to pay parking charges in Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and West Vale, when it meets on Monday, June 1, from 6pm with the meeting broadcast on the council’s YouTube channel.

Councillors will be asked to approve a recommendation that existing charging hours should be extended from 6pm to 8pm in Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and West Vale, that charging in Halifax town centre should be introduced on Sundays and that Bank Holiday charging be introduced in Halifax town centre and Hebden Bridge.

Currently parking is free on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The briefing paper to councillors says the council needs to proactively encourage people to use alternative ways of travel such as public transport to help address climate emergency, air quality and public health issues in the latest two-yearly review which is now due.

It 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, if approved.

In the case of Halifax town centre and Hebden Bridge, which would be subject to charging on either Bank Holidays or both Bank Holidays and Sundays, their role as shopping and tourism centres is cited as reasons for extending charging.

A consultation would need to be carried out but councillors are told the proposals are in line with the council’s Parking Strategy and “it is recommended that they be implemented as soon as possible.”

Officers say in the briefing paper that: “Whilst the introduction of charging for parking will have a small financial impact on individuals, the charges proposed are relatively low and are considered to be proportionate and appropriate in each case.”

But councillors will decide whether or not to follow the recommendation when they meet in virtual form on Monday.