Parking charges to come back into force across Kirklees

Council chiefs have confirmed that they are looking to reintroduce charges at 95 municipal car parks, as well on the street, within the next two weeks.

During a virtual meeting of the council’s decision-making Cabinet senior councillor Peter McBride confirmed it was looking to end its suspension of car parking charges.

He said: “Temporarily it’s carrying on but I do know we are seriously considering re-introducing those charges.

“I haven’t got a date but it would be certainly within the next fortnight.”

That’s roughly in line with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that all non-essential retail shops can re-open from June 15.

Motorists across the country have been allowed to park for free during the coronavirus outbreak.

Kirklees Council said revenue lost from car park ticket sales would be around £260,000 per month during lockdown.

However the authority is now preparing to gear up for shops re-opening and an easing of restrictions.

Work is continuing apace on the site of the former Huddersfield Sports Centre, which is to be a new temporary car park for town centre shoppers and workers.

It will help replace the 588-space multi-storey Market Hall Car Park at Alfred Street, which the council closed suddenly in February.

It will be known as Old Leeds Road Car Park and will be open at all times.

Users will pay £2.50 for five hours and £3 to stay over five hours from Monday to Saturday.

On Sundays the charge will be £1 per visit.

Kirklees Council said the deteriorating Market Hall car park would be closed for an initial four weeks for checks.

However there are no signs that it is set to re-open.