'Introduction of parking fees at parks has caused chaos'

Drivers leaving their vehicles on residential streets to avoid new parking charges are causing "chaos", a councillor has said.

Leeds City Council introduced fees to use the car parks at its public parks, including Otley Chevin, Temple Newsam, Middleton Park, Golden Acre Park and Roundhay Park, last year.

The Conservative group on the council has said it opposes the policy and believe it could be putting off visitors to beauty spots.

Its leader Alan Lamb said: "Every pound that's going into the parking machines is a pound not going into local independent businesses."

Lamb highlighted the "chaos" caused by park users choosing to park on streets nearby instead, and said the situation "needs to be dealt with".

He called for the authority to undertake an impact study and then draw up a "proper" plan for the sites.

"If it was down to me I would just scrap the charges and that would be the end of it," he added.

However, the council said the income generated from parking fees was "necessary" given its current financial position.

A spokesperson added: "This is not an unprecedented decision, many other councils across the country have similar practices in place."

The revenue is invested in the maintenance of parks and green spaces.

A cafe and wedding venue opposite one of the car parks at Otley Chevin said it was now monitoring its car park to try and stop non-customers accessing it.

Lucy Fleming, from the Chilli Barn and Mistal Kitchen, said: "It gets very, very busy with people parking along the roadside."

She added that she had witnessed a collision involving a motorcycle that she believed was caused by the number of cars parked at the roadside.

"It was just absolute chaos," she added.

However, regular park users said that the council's annual pass scheme gave them access that offered good value.

Otley Chevin dog walker James Jackson said: "I don't mind paying it, it's not a huge amount if you get an annual pass, because it works out at about 20p a day."

Jackson agreed that he had seen cars parked on both sides of the nearby roads, but believed that had been a pre-existing issue because of the car park's limited capacity.

At Roundhay Park in north Leeds, visitors are able to park in a number of residential streets surrounding the green space that was gifted to the people of the city in 1872, though there are several council-run car parks.

Sunny Singh, who regularly runs in the park, said he always parked on the nearby streets.

"It's putting a price on people's freedom," he said.

"I know it's only a quid for an hour, but things are getting harder out there.

"I think it's something that should be reconsidered. This is our playground."

Blue Badge holders are exempt from the fees, but wheelchair user Kay Dobson described the price as "reasonable" and said she would pay it if she had to.

"People have always parked on the roads, some prefer it - and also you can't always get in the car park, in the summer it's impossible.

"So there's no happy ending to any of it."

She added that there was a lack of parking, both on- and off-street, relative to the number of people visiting Roundhay Park at busy times.

The council said it had improved markings and other aspects of the car parks in both Roundhay and Temple Newsam.

The parking income will also be used for refurbishments of Golden Acre's car park and installing EV charging points at Roundhay and Middleton Urban Bike Park.

"We are looking at further schemes to reinvest this money, including work on surrounding green spaces and play parks," the spokesperson added.

A motion calling for the parking charges to be suspended is due to be put to a full council meeting later.

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