Reaction to introduction of parking charges at Ilkley Pool and Lido

The authority said that from November 1 motorists will be charged £1 to park for one hour, and £4 to park longer than four hours at the Denton Road pool.

But the Community Group says Ilkley is being treated unfairly as Bradford Council has made all car parks associated with other pools across Bradford free to use for pool users.

This means, says the group, that Ilkley pool users will have to pay for parking in addition to their swimming ticket, making Ilkley “an outlier across Bradford Council at a time when we need to encourage people to use the facility”.

They say it is in contradiction to the claim of Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport that the new charges are “consistent and fair.”

Roger Tilbrook from Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group said: “We have not been consulted about the detailed proposals despite the fact that we have had regular discussions with Bradford Council about the future of the pool and lido and want to help ensure the long-term future of the facilities.

“The charging regime indicates that Ilkley is being treated unfairly compared to other pools and leisure facilities across the Bradford District.”

The group’s vice chair Paul Stephens added: "It would appear that the proposals have not been considered across the relevant departments within Bradford Council and could further threaten the future of the pool and lido, with the parking department benefitting whilst putting at risk income to leisure services.

“The decision has also been taken whilst the Review of Sport and Leisure facilities across Bradford District is still underway.”

The group’s chair Becky Malby said: “The Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group is asking Bradford Council to talk to relevant stakeholders and the local community to explore the issues and complexities before implementing confusing parking charges that could have a negative impact on the future of the pool as well as local health and wellbeing."

The Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group (IPLCG) is a group of Ilkley residents who are developing proposals to secure the long-term future of the site and facilities through partnership with Bradford Council or community ownership of the Pool, Lido and grounds.

(Image: Google)

Cllr Andrew Loy and Cllr David Nunns – both Conservative Ilkley councillors, released a joint statement that said: “This will make it more expensive for many people to swim and is likely to reduce demand at the very time when the council should be doing everything it can to make the Pool and Lido financially sustainable. We are also concerned that this could push more parking onto the nearby residential streets. At the very least, the council should reimburse all swimmers for the cost of their parking.”

Cllr Ros Brown (Green, Ilkley), welcomed Bradford Council’s decision not to charge people for parking while they are having swimming lessons with Bradford Aquatics or using the facilities as ClubActive members. She said: “This is good news. I would like to thank the staff at Ilkley Pool and Lido for making a strong business case to Bradford Council for not charging these regular pool users. I am pleased Bradford Council have listened to the concerns of local people and the evidence put forward by Ilkley Pool and Lido Group in this instance.

“Good partnership working is essential for getting the best outcomes for local people. It also provides Bradford Council with the insights needed to secure value for money in such nationally and locally challenging financial circumstances.”

She said she would continue to work with Ilkley Pool and Lido Group, local residents, elected members and Bradford Council officers to respond to the Sports and Leisure Review which is due to be considered by Bradford Council Executive on November 5.