Wibsey traders' anger as new parking charges causing 'chaos'

Wibsey car park, which is situated on Fair Road, used to be free to use - but Bradford Council introduced a charge of £1 an hour last month.

Gareth Gregory, a TV and satellite engineer based in Wibsey, says he and fellow traders are angry about the introduction.

The council says the charges play an "essential role" in the careful management of its rural and urban centres where there is high demand for parking spaces.

It also highlighted that its current financial situation has led to "many difficult decisions" being made.

Mr Gregory, middle, is keen for a review to take place (Image: Newsquest)

'Horrendous problems' in Wibsey

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Mr Gregory said: “We all understand the council are clutching at straws for money.

"As far as that car park is concerned, their business model is that it will earn £25 a day, a pound an hour. They would be lucky to see 10 cars there in a day.

"The biggest issue is nobody is paying to park in there. They are parking in there, disappearing then coming back and not paying.

"The car park is earning nothing. They need to review it because it is causing chaos in Wibsey."

The car park back in July 2023 (Image: Google Street View) He added: "It is a 25-space car park. I went past it three times today and saw a total of three cars. I saw one lady go in there, see the signs, then head back out.

"It was always well used down the years. Now we have got cars parked on double-yellows, and footpaths. Just horrendous problems in Wibsey.

"I don't understand why they are not ticketing the cars that are on double-yellows and footpaths.”

The traders next to the near-empty car park (Image: Newsquest)

Parking charges 'driving customers down'

One shop owner feels the charges are having a big affect on the surrounding businesses.

They said: "The parking charges are driving the customers down.

“Last year, I got a business parking permit and it was free. This year you go online and it is £60 per car. Why would they do this?

"The paid-for car park is always empty. It is not right or fair."

Buzz gone from Idle following charges

It comes after a similar situation has occurred at Idle car park turning that village into a "ghost town".

In October, Emily Beaton, who runs Miss Butterfinger's tearoom in The Green which is near the car park, said the introduction had "killed the trade" in the area.

Her mind has not changed a month later with sales now dropping.

"It has just been the same," Emily told the Telegraph & Argus.

"It has been really quiet with less people walking around.

"It used to be absolutely full that car park every single day, now there is barely anyone in it.

"We do a lot of bookings but we would also take a lot of walk ins and those have definitely dropped since they started charging (for the car park).

"There are not as many people who pop in now.

"Everybody around us is saying the same. That they have had a drop in sales.

"It used to have a bit of a buzz (this village) but then the parking charges came and it became a lot quieter."

Full Bradford Council statement

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “Bradford has a number of thriving villages and towns where parking charges have been the norm for many years.

"They play an essential role in the careful management of our rural and urban centres where there is high demand for parking spaces.

“We understand the concern people may have on these and other proposals, however, given the financial situation at local authorities across the country we’re having to consider many difficult decisions in the budget.

“Free car parks bring an additional cost to the council in business rates and no charges means this is essentially subsidised by taxpayers.

"Charges cover this cost and are also a source of income to help pay for the upkeep of our car parks.”