CALDERDALE Council does not plan to reverse parking charge changes at the moment.

A senior councillor said since extended charging periods were introduced from autumn 2021 not many complaints had been received and drivers complied with them.

Coun Jenny Lynn (Lab, Park) was responding to question asked at Cabinet.

Mark Edwards had urged Cabinet to reverse the charges to help businesses and townspeople in Sowerby Bridge.

“Given the challenging financial circumstances of high street businesses, would the Cabinet commit itself to undertake an urgent review of the adverse impact extended parking charges are having on Sowerby Bridge and the wider Calderdale community, and reverse the decision to extend those charges for the benefit of the residents and businesses of Sowerby Bridge and Calderdale,” he said.

But Coun Lynn, Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, said there was a need to ensure turnover of spaces in town centres.

Bradford's Fish Dish owner slams evening parking charges

“Since charges were introduced in late 2021 there have been few complaints and the level of compliance has been high,” said Coun Lynn.

A further review of charges was scheduled for later this year and in the interim she did not expect another review into them at this point, she said.

The autumn 2021 changes saw existing charges in Halifax’s short stay council parking areas, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and West Vale extended until 8pm, charges extended to Sundays and bank holidays in Halifax town centre short stay car parks and on-street spaces and bank holidays becoming chargeable in Hebden Bridge.