Wakefield council scraps two-hour free parking scheme

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

Wakefield Council has voted to end its two-hour free parking scheme, which cost £1.8m annually.

Wakefield Council has voted to end its two-hour free parking scheme at off-street car parks after deciding it was unaffordable. The scheme, reintroduced by Labour in November 2025, cost the council £1.8m a year. The now Reform UK-led council made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, reversing the Labour policy that had aimed to increase footfall on the borough's high streets and help residents with the cost of living.

Councillor Keith Anderson, responsible for highways, transport and planning, said there had been no evidence the scheme increased footfall. He argued that free parking was not the reason people visited town centres. "People don't come because of free parking, they come because they want to do something," he said. He added that the council had diverted money from regeneration budgets to fund the scheme, money that could have been spent helping the city centre.

Labour MP Simon Lightwood criticised the decision as a political choice, saying the scheme had been intended to support local businesses and strengthen high streets. Thousands of people have signed a petition against the plans, and MPs have urged the council to reconsider the decision, calling it 'short-sighted'. The council expects the changes to raise over £1.8m.

Wakefield council scraps two-hour free parking scheme — Image: BBC Leeds And West Yorkshire

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How it is being reported

Need To Know West YorkshireWakefield Council has taken the decision to remove free parking across the district.BBC Leeds And West Yorkshire · 21 Oct, 14:16
Council votes to axe two hour free parking schemeThe free parking scheme will be scrapped and charges reintroduced across the borough.BBC Leeds And West Yorkshire · 21 Oct, 12:43
MPs urge council to scrap 'short-sighted' plans to end two-hour free parking as thousands sign petitionThousands of people have already signed a petition against the plansYorkshire Evening Post · 19 Oct, 16:30

In this story: Wakefield Council · Labour · Reform UK · Wakefield · Simon Lightwood · Keith Anderson

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