RESIDENTS hit by Ilkley’s parking problems are again being urged to register their concerns following a ‘disappointing’ meeting between councillors and local authority officers over the issue.

Members of Ilkley Parish Council and ward councillors met Bradford Council officers and a representative on Bradford Council’s Keighley Area Co-ordinator’s Office earlier this month in an attempt to get to grips with the town’s parking and highways problems.

The meeting was organised following concern among Ilkley parish councillors about increasing strain on the town centre and surrounding residential streets for parking space – and a wide range of concerns raised by residents.

Suggestions to alleviate the problems of all-day parking and commuter parking spilling onto residential streets have included calls to build a new commuter car park on part of the Tesco new store site, off Railway Road and Mayfield Road.

But the suggestion failed to win support from Bradford Council officers.

Now Ilkley parish councillor, Councillor Mike Ridgway, is urging townspeople to continue sending their concerns with traffic and parking to the parish council, as it builds its case calling for action.

Bradford Council officers told the councillors creating a new car park may encourage more people to drive into town and park there all day. The Tesco land – previously earmarked for a new supermarket – is currently on the market. Interest in the land includes local businesses, and is expected to also attract high bids from housing developers.

“I’m a bit disappointed,” said Cllr Ridgway.

He believes the best solution is to provide more parking in town, rather than simply restrict parking or try to create a park and ride, he believes – and he says he has the backing of the rest of the parish council to push for this.

Cllr Ridgway believes part of the site could be used for affordable housing, for which there is a need in Ilkley, but also a requirement for space to build a car park.

“I just hope the businesses of Ilkley would support the Parish Council in their efforts to increase car parking capacity.”

Bradford councillor, Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley), meanwhile, would like to see a full parking review of the town carried out by Bradford Council.

She has also spoken in favour of park and rides being set up for commuters travelling into the town as a way to alleviate the demand for parking spaces closer to the town centre.