Free parking to be extended

Wakefield Council is extending free parking in all Council car parks and on-street parking areas from January 19 to March 31 to support retail, leisure and other businesses and for people to visit country parks during this most challenging of times.

People will continue to be able to park for free on all Council owned and managed car parks across the district including both off-street and on-street parking spaces. It also extends to Anglers Country Park, Newmillerdam and Pugney’s country parks.

Whilst parking charges will remain free until the 31 March 2021, the maximum periods of stay and other parking restrictions must be observed and will continue to be enforced by the Council’s Parking Services team.

The Council has also announced it is to consult with residents in January on proposals to introduce free parking for the ‘first two hours’ in all off-street car parks, including country parks. The proposal aims to provide ongoing support for residents and businesses with the district’s economic recovery from COVID-19 in 2021.

Coun Matthew Morley, Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways at Wakefield Council, said: “We are here to support residents and businesses and for this reason I am pleased we are extending free parking until 31 March.

“We think that from April onwards free parking for the first two hours in off-street car parks, would help businesses, as well as support people’s physical and mental wellbeing by offering a couple of hours of free parking to enjoy our fantastic country parks.

“We also recognise that under Covid-19 there are restrictions and limitations on how people use public transport and on car sharing - so this measure helps support alternative transport choices to make life easier for people during these challenging times.

“We want to know what residents think – and we’ll be issuing more information and a link to the consultation in the New Year.”

A Cabinet report with the results of the consultation will be presented in March 2021 for a decision and to inform the Council’s parking strategy and the proposal to provide two hours free parking in car parks for the financial year 2021/22,