Complaints about parking trigger police to take action in Ilkley

Officers are being asked to keep an eye on vehicles parked on Denton Road and streets north of the River Wharfe, close to popular recreation spots.

An Ilkley resident spoke at an Ilkley Parish Council meeting last week, asking for police and councillors to take action.

He told the council there were particularly problems with parking on the stretch of the road between the Old Bridge and Middleton Avenue, which are at their worst on bank holidays and when events are taking place.

The man said: “It’s become apparent that problems are arising on the weekend, particularly with the amount of parking on there. It’s fine when vehicles are parking on one side but as soon as it gets busy, particularly when there’s any function, such as the Race for Life the other weekend, there are problems.”

He told the meeting parking started at 10.30am on the day of the charity event, with parking on both sides, causing difficulties for agricultural and other traffic passing through. He suggested bollards could be put out on one side of the road, as a temporary measure on busy days, or yellow lines added, and asked that authorities could be kept notified when events, such as the Race for Life or the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, are taking place.

“I think it’s about time that something is done, either by this council or by Bradford Council to minimise parking to one side of the road, particularly at weekends,” he added.

Cars are often parked on grass verges, half on and half off pavements, and even on the edge of West Holmes Field, the Parish Council heard.

Sergeant Julie Gray, of Ilkley Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said some parking issues are the responsibility of Bradford Council’s highways department - but she said officers could take action where obstruction is being caused.

Sgt Gray said residents could report parking problems by contacting Ilkley Police Station, or calling the 101 number.