Parking charge proposals for two Leeds parks

Parking charges could be introduced at two parks in West Yorkshire.

Visitors to Otley Chevin Forest Park and Golden Acre Park would be charged a "modest" fee to use car parks at the sites, which are currently free.

Leeds City Council said it had a budget shortfall of nearly £34m and the change would help pay for improvements at the car parks.

Two consultations have been launched by the council and people have been asked to share their views on the plans.

Under the proposals, fees would be charged at Otley Road and Arthington Road car parks near Golden Acre Park.

Charges would also be introduced at Upper and Lower Shawfield on East Chevin Road, and Yorkgate Quarry, Surprise View and East Quarry car parks near Otley Chevin.

The council has not said how much visitors would be charged for parking at the sites but the survey asked people how much they would be willing to pay.

Blue Badge holders would not be charged for parking, the consultation said.

A council spokesperson said if extra funding is not found, the car parks would "continue to decline with limited opportunity for any significant improvements".

Previous plans to charge for parking at sites including Middleton Park, Golden Acre Park, Otley Chevin, Roundhay Park, Temple Newsam and Kirkstall Abbey were scrapped by the council in January.

The local authority also announced it would increase fees at its council-run car parks.

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