INTRODUCING charges at two small free car parks could further exacerbate Ilkley's street parking problems if introduced ahead of a full review and strategy to tackle the issue.

This is the warning from ward councillor Anne Hawkesworth this week, who is now seeking assurances from Bradford Council officers that local authority car parks in Leeds Road and Railway Road will not become pay-and-display before the promised full investigation into Ilkley's car parking is complete.

Cllr Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) was concerned when she came across surfacing work being undertaken at the two car parks, which were highlighted in the council's recent budget as pay-and-display facilities.

It had previously been agreed that charging would not be brought in until the parking review and strategy had been completed.

"Charging in the car parks at the moment will just mean added pressure on the surrounding streets," said Cllr Hawkesworth.

A council officer has now confirmed current repair work is not directly related to the budget decision, and is part of planned maintenance.

But he added the proposals will be implemented within the current or next financial year to realise the projected benefits.

"We are working with colleagues in highways to look at on-street parking and the impact of any changes," he assured Cllr Hawkesworth.

Bradford Council confirmed earlier this year it will carry out a parking review of Ilkley, studying the current situation and looking at possible solutions. The review is scheduled to begin after a West Yorkshire Combined Authority study – looking purely at commuter parking – has been completed.

A review was promised by former council leader, Cllr David Green, as far back as 2012, and Ilkley councillors have been lobbying for it to happen ever since, as complaints from residents about traffic and parking problems have continued to escalate.

Ilkley Parish Council started a petition calling for action across the town to address parking difficulties.

A meeting earlier this year between Cllr Hawkesworth and West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport committee chairman, Cllr Keith Wakefield, resulted in the authority agreeing to instigate its survey to consider the origins of cars parked in the town all day.