Anger as 'disgraceful' parking fees to come into force across Leeds' parks
Leeds residents have slammed ‘disgusting’ new car parking fees at parks across the city.
Drivers will have to pay at sites across the city from Monday, February 10. Leeds City Council has said it will help fund site improvements and maintenance. The sites include Roundhay Park (including Mansion Lane), Temple Newsam Estate, Golden Acre Park, Leeds Urban Bike Park and Otley Chevin Forest Park.
This comes at a time when the cash-strapped council plans to save £106.4million in its budget during the 2025/26 financial term, in a bid to support the rising costs of social care services. Car parking fees will be as follows:
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£1 for up to 2 hours
£2.50 for up to 4 hours
£4 for up to 12 hours
£10 for a month (across all parks sites)
and £80 for a year (across all parks sites).
Lorry driver Ali Elahi, 43, loves visiting Roundhay Park every day to do his exercise. It's an important part of his lifestyle as he is stuck behind the wheel for most of the time.
Ali said: “It’s disgusting, people are using this park for lots of things. Nobody should pay for parking in a park, it’s a public park.
"Charging people for parking, I don’t know what to say. This is not good. It's annoying, I use this park every day for exercise. If every day I am going to come here and pay for a parking ticket, how would you feel? It’s not good.”
Ali also has concerns for elderly people who may avoid visiting the parks now due to the fees. Ali said: “It’s not good for people like that. For young people, it’s no problem as they can walk but for old people, they can’t park further away and walk all the way here.”
Mum-of-two Mary Conway, 58, who frequently visits the parks, slammed the parking fees. Mary said: “It’s disgraceful. It’s going to stop people using them, the people who are reluctant to pay. We feel it’s a bit harsh, really. I think it will deter a lot of people.”
Laura Lope, 44, visits many of the parks around Leeds fairly regularly to walk her pair of Italian grey hounds. Laura said: “I think it’s going to stop people from using them. The people who can’t afford to pay are not going to use it and I don’t think that’s fair.”
Gran-of-one Sue Pearson, 63, said: “I understand why the council are doing it, and when all said and done, the amount they’re charging for it, it’s not a lot, really. I know there’s an uproar over it, as it’s been free for years and years, but I think when people get used to it, they’ll accept it.”
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 February 10.
“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.”
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