Leeds car park closure decision reversed
- 23 December 2010
- From the section Leeds & West Yorkshire
Leeds City Council has reversed a decision to close down seven private car parks which offer cheap all-day parking in the city.
The authority announced last month that the sites, which do not have planning permission and charge about £3.50 per day, would have to close in January.
The announcement had led to complaints from commuters.
The council said it was concerned about the impact on congestion and said the sites could stay open until the summer.
Enforcement action was triggered when an inspector ruled that the car parks - at Globe Road, Sweet Street, Trent Street, Ingram Street, Ingram Row and Water Lane in Holbeck - were illegal.
The council said an "urgent review" of city centre parking would now take place and the sites could stay open until the review was completed.
A spokesman said the car park operators would then be expected to apply for planning permission for their sites.
Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member responsible for city development, said: "We are suspending enforcement to stop workers being hit as they face the New Year and avoid disruption to the local economy.
"Long-stay car parking is vital for many commuters working in the city and we are keen to make sure nothing hurts the local economy, especially at a challenging economic time.
"That is why we have decided not to close the car parks, but to hold a full and comprehensive review which will take account of all the views of those concerned about this issue, the impact of car-parking provision on the local economy, the alternative public transport options available to people and the need to tackle congestion."