Parking charges at Leeds parks set to fund better parks facilities

The five parks are Golden Acre Park, Otley Chevin, Roundhay Park (including Mansion Lane), Temple Newsam and Middleton Park (where charges will apply at the Urban Bike Park only).

Like councils across the UK, Leeds City Council is facing unprecedented budget challenges, needing to find over £100million in savings over the next financial year. Simultaneously, significant investment is needed to ensure that Leeds’s much-loved parks continue to be safe and welcoming spaces for residents and visitors.

The decision was therefore made to introduce a small parking charge at the five sites, set at £4 for a full day. There will also be the option to purchase a year’s season ticket for £80, equating to just over £1.50 per week, which can be used across all Leeds City Council’s parks.

Blue badge holders will continue to park for free.

All the investments required to introduce the parking charges will be funded by the income generated through the charges themselves, including the new ticket machines. It is anticipated that the costs will be recouped from the income generated by the charges within six months.

The money raised will also fund car park surface improvements, bay marking, signage, safe access for pedestrians and ongoing maintenance. This is to make the sites more welcoming, accessible, safer and easier to navigate and park in.

Cycle parking will be added at the car parks as part of the scheme and electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be considered and implemented where possible.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “Leeds City Council looks after over 4,000 hectares of parks and green spaces. Sadly, without a sustainable funding stream, the much-loved spaces will deteriorate, resulting in health and safety risks. This is why we have taken the decision to introduce parking charges at these five parks in Leeds, starting 10 February.

“We are keeping the charges nominal, equivalent to or less than a return ticket on the bus, and parking will remain free for blue badge holders.

“I’d also like to reiterate that the funding required to introduce these charges, such as new ticket machines, will all be paid for by the charges themselves.

“By maintaining our wonderful parks and green spaces, we are providing spaces for communities in the city to be active and to play and helping to improve mental and physical health across all ages.”

Parking payments will be accepted at the machines using a contactless bank card or via the PayByPhone parking app. Season tickets will be available to purchase online (at https://bit.ly/ParkingLCC) or using cash or card in some community hubs and libraries and in some of the council’s retail units and cafés within the parks.

The charges will be:

• £1 up to 2 hours.
• £2.50 for half a day
• £4 for a full day
• Season ticket: £10 per month or £80 per annum
• Free for blue badge holders

The charges will apply seven days a week between 8am – 8pm.

ENDS