Beauty spot parking fee plan to cost council £1.9m

Introducing parking charges at five popular beauty spots around Leeds is set to cost the council £1.9m, as it needs to pay for ticket machines and resurfacing work.

Charges are to be brought in at Otley Chevin, Golden Acre Park in Bramhope, Middleton and Roundhay parks, and Temple Newsam.

Leeds City Council said the money would be spent on creating parking bay markings, cycle stands and signage.

A council report said: "The aim of this investment is to make the sites more welcoming, accessible, safer and easier to navigate and park in."

The council decided to impose the charges - which will cost £4 for a full day - to raise money as it must save £63.9m to balance its budget this financial year.

However, the investment will mean easier access for blue badge holders, who will not be charged, and more marked spaces across the five sites, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report added: "There will be investment in pedestrian access and cycle parking, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be considered and implemented where viable.

"The new ticket machines will be solar powered."

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