Residents urge Council to re-think planned sale of car park

The Skirrow Street car park in the “old village” area of Cottingley is one of 155 Bradford Council owned assets that are being considered for sale.

With space for just 10 cars, the car park is one of the smaller assets on a list that also includes a golf club and shopping centre.

But residents of the nearby streets say the asset is a vital part of their day to day lives, and are calling for the Council to retain the plot, and dispute the Council's description of the site as a "surplus asset."

Over 340 people have signed a petition opposing the sale that will go before the Council’s Shipley Area Committee on Wednesday.

They argue selling the site to a private owner would mean cars that currently park there are displaced onto the narrow streets, making it difficult or impossible for ambulances, fire engines and bin waggons to navigate the area.

Residents spoke at a Bingley Town Council meeting on Tuesday, when Town Councillors agreed to support their campaign.

The car park was created around 50 years ago, and residents say since then the site has been used by people living on the surrounding terraced streets.

The Skirrow Street car park in Cottingley (Image: T&A)

Sue Crossley, who lives near to the car park, said: “It has always been there for the use of the village. The chapel needs it, and there are so many homes that have two car families.”

Melissa Bettison said the car park was particularly busy in an evening. She said: “In an evening I can’t park outside my house, if I lost this car park I’d have no other options. It would effect us every single day. The Council made poor budgeting choices – why should we be punished for that?”

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The asset disposal programme is part of the Council’s plan to achieve financial sustainability.  The intention is to initially generate £60M during 2024/5 and 2025/6 with further work during this period to bring forward more disposal opportunities for either incorporation into this time frame or for future years.

“This list has been drawn up after an initial review of the Council’s Property interests.  Each asset will be reviewed as to whether they should be disposed of or retained, so no decision has yet been made.”