A public car park in Ilkley has beaten the rest of the Bradford district to be the area’s biggest earner for parking revenue.

Figures released under a Freedom of Information request show the pay-and- display at South Hawksworth Street, Ilkley, gave Bradford Council £250,711 last year.

The figure has re-ignited concern among retailers that parking charges are too high in Ilkley’s main car park, while others have called for the money to be reinvested in the town.

The total means the Ilkley car park, with 227 spaces, achieved the highest income out of all the Council’s car parks, beating others in Keighley, Bingley, Shipley and Bradford city.

Ilkley Business Forum communications officer Stephen Butler said there were concerns among business owners about the cost of parking in the car park.

He said: “The retailers think parking is too expensive and there should be something done to discourage commuters from using it for long stay.”

Ilkley Parish Council chairman Mike Gibbons said: “The figures are interesting and slightly surprising but Ilkley is a very popular destination for many people and, of course, it is used extensively by local residents and it’s good to see people shopping in Ilkley.”

He said: “Maybe future investment in Bradford may mean that the situation will change in the future.”

Ward councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said it was “no surprise” the central car park in the popular visitor and shopping area was generating more income than other Council car parks in the district – but asked for money to be re-invested in the town.

She said: “When we produce so much revenue we do deserve investment around that area to retain the town’s position as a quality shopping and visitor destination. Back Grove cobbles should be relaid in places and the potholes in the car park are a disgrace.

“We do, however, have free on-street parking.”

The Council has not revealed how much revenue they clawed back from all district car parks last year or how many penalty charge notices were issued in total but another FOI request has been lodged asking for that information.