ILKLEY'S MP John Grogan will meet with Bradford Council highways bosses to discuss the findings of a car parking questionnaire.

It was conducted at the end of last year by the MP in response to a parking review carried out by Bradford Council in July 2017. Mr Grogan now hopes the evidence contained within the report will be useful to the council as they decide how to proceed.

A total of 712 households in Ilkley responded either by post, email or by leaving the completed questionnaire at Ilkley Library.

Mr Grogan said: "I would like to thank all those who replied to my parking questionnaire. Responses covered a wide range of suggestions concerning car parking but also ideas concerning improved provision for cycling in the town and public transport. There was a strong feeling that any additional revenue raised from parking charges should be spent in Ilkley ward itself."

Mr Grogan has now been assured by Council bosses that firm proposals will be put forward over the summer. "I hope that a scheme could be agreed and implemented in the year ahead," he added.

The questionnaire found introducing a residents parking scheme around Ilkley town centre was looked at favourably. The main concern is if it not implemented carefully it will move the problem slightly further out, meaning it would only be a solution for a few and a hindrance to others.

Increased tariffs at car parks were mostly supported on the condition that they were used to pay for maintenance and enforcement

within Ilkley car park or if revenue was ring-fenced for Ilkley ward. Residents did not seem too concerned with introduction of tariffs in currently free Council car parks if they were not increased in South Hawksworth. Many were concerned that if tariffs are too high it may deter people from the car parks and lead to worse problems on the street.

Residents were overwhelmingly supportive of additional car parking being provided at Ben Rhydding railway station. The main concerns were where said car park would be located.

It found a main area of focus for Ilkley residents is The Grove, which many said was often difficult to navigate due to parking on both sides of the road. A popular idea was creating a one-way system on the road. The second most favoured idea was the introduction of double-yellow lines to the road, and/or to remove the existing parking facilities. Sixteen residents backed the idea of pedestrianising the road entirely.

To increase parking spaces in Ilkley the majority favoured the introduction of a park and ride facility somewhere near Ilkley. Others backed the idea of a second storey to the car park outside Tesco and others proposed a similar idea of a multi-story or underground car park outside the rail station. Others recommended a similar expansion of an underground car park in proximity to M&S and Tesco.