£500,000 blackhole in Council budget as parking cash falls - claim

Nov 11 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MOTORISTS are avoiding Huddersfield town centre because of high parking charges, says a councillor.

Clr Mehboob Khan said there was a half-million pound black hole in Kirklees Council’s budget as a result.

The Kirklees Labour leader said: “Last year an inflation-busting increase in parking charges for commuters was imposed by the council’s Tory Cabinet.

“The move has resulted in a massive £560,000 shortfall in income as commuters find other places to park.”

Clr Khan said Kirklees officials had expected to take in £7.32m in parking charges in 2008-9. However, a drop in business meant the estimate had been reduced to £6.76m.

The Greenhead Labour councillor said that high town centre rates were forcing commuters to park in residential areas.