MEMBERS of the public are being asked to have their say on draft proposals to change parking restrictions in and around Ilkley town centre.

Bradford Council is proposing to adopt the recommendations of a parking review conducted by consultants, Steer Davies & Gleave but wants to know local people’s views on them before the final decision is made.

The recommendations include:

• Permit parking in residential areas immediately surrounding the town

centre

• Prohibited parking areas to improve traffic flow

• Town centre pay and display parking with an initial free grace period

• Additional disabled parking bays

• New loading areas

Members of the public and interested parties are invited to view draft proposals at two drop-in meetings held at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley on Tuesday, September 18 between noon and 7pm, and Wednesday, September 19 between 9am and 5pm.

Council officers will be on hand to discuss the proposed changes and people will be invited to submit their comments.

In addition to the recommendations in the report, Bradford Council is proposing an increase in the number of disabled parking bays within the town centre and introducing additional loading bays to assist local businesses.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are acutely aware of the parking problems Ilkley residents are experiencing every day. The aim of the recommendations is to manage parking in the town more effectively and provide residential streets with permits to ensure people who live near the town centre can park on their own street.

“Ilkley has a growing economy and business use is of paramount importance and we’ll be liaising with the Ilkley Business Forum and the BID Development Board and other groups such as the Town Council.

“Nothing is set in stone and we will listen to and act on feedback from the drop-in sessions and consultation responses. This is an inclusive process and we welcome all interested parties to get involved.”

Ilkley’s MP John Grogan said: “I welcome the publication of Bradford Council’s Parking proposals.

“This has been the number one issue in my postbag from Ilkley residents over the last year.

“I made the findings of my own parking survey, sent to every resident in the town, available to council officers to assist them in coming up with a plan.

“I would strongly urge all concerned residents to get involved in what I hope will be the final consultation in the coming weeks. 2019 must be the year when we see some action.”

The proposals are also available online for people to have their say: www.bradford.gov.uk/consultations

The consultation will run until 12 October.