Free parking at Wakefield council car parks extended until March

Free parking at Wakefield Council car parks will be extended in a bid to support town and city centres.
Free: The car park at Newmillerdam is included in the free parking.Free: The car park at Newmillerdam is included in the free parking.
Free: The car park at Newmillerdam is included in the free parking.

Wakefield Council is extending free parking in council car parks and on-street parking areas across the district until March 31.

It is hoped the move will support retail, leisure and other businesses and encourage people to visit country parks including Newmillerdam and Pugneys.

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Parking charges were first removed from council car parks at the start of the pandemic in March.

And the council is considering offering two hours of free parking beyond the end of the pandemic, in an effort to support residents and businesses.

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.

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“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.”

While parking charges will be removed until the end of March, parking restrictions such as maximum stay periods must still be observed and will continue to be enforced.

A 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 future years.