Further support for town centres
We have extended free parking beyond the 1st September to support the local economy as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.
Free parking was introduced in all council run car parks and parking spaces on the 15 June, as part of measures to support businesses after lockdown, and make sure people can visit the borough’s town centres safely.
How long will this last for?
This will continue until the end of the year to help support businesses from now and throughout the Christmas period.
Is there a maximum length of stay?
The periods of stay will, however, be enforced, as it is important that short stay spaces close to shops are available for those popping in to do some shopping. This change is in direct response to feedback from businesses.
Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said:
“We have to support our local businesses the best we can to help them recover from what has been a crippling financial period for so many. Free parking is one of the most effective ways that we can support them to bounce back. In particular, organisations such as Dewsbury Forward and Dewsbury Chamber of Trade have highlighted just how much this has helped the local economy so far so we’re more than happy to extend free parking across Kirklees to encourage people to back our businesses.”
“However, we must not forget that the pandemic isn’t over and that we are still seeing infections locally, with cases in almost every ward. We want people to be able to shop, and socialise but it is incredibly important that you continue to do everything you can to stay safe. Staying 2m apart where possible, wearing a mask when required and washing your hands regularly with soap and water are still the best ways to control the virus. Doing this will not only reduce the risk of you getting and spreading the virus to more vulnerable friends and relatives, but also reduce the chances of full local lockdowns being enforced in future.”
Are there any additional measures in place?
Additional measures to make town centres more attractive to visitors have also been seen across Kirklees.
Visitors to Huddersfield and Dewsbury will have noticed temporary art installations popping up, these creative interventions aim to make the place more attractive, provide opportunities to reflect on the current situation and encourage people to be more socially distant.
There are plans to extend these to other towns in the coming months as part of a package of measures.
Cllr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said:
“We’ve had positive feedback from businesses and residents on the impact of free parking. Waiving parking charges is just part of our longer term recovery plans, making sure that town centres come back stronger following the virus, in order for us to achieve our blueprint ambitions for both Huddersfield and Dewsbury.”
“It is essential that we do what we can to support local businesses during this recovery period which is why we want to make sure our town centres are safe and attractive spaces. Through innovative art installations, messaging that positively reinforce social distancing guidance and by providing more room to walk and cycle we will not only make our towns safer, and more attractive, but also make it easier for people to safely travel to and from work.”
Hi Andrea, you can check for areas with disabled parking here – https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/transport-roads-and-parking/parkingspaces/ Kind regards ^CP
Hi Jode, the minimum time will be displayed on signage at each car park. Alternatively, you can look online- https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/transport-roads-and-parking/parkingspaces/ Kind regards ^CP
Hi the “long stay” car parks does this not have any minimum time on it?
Thank you for the feedback, I will share this with the correct department. Kind regards ^CP
Hi Paul, following feedback from businesses we will now be fining people who park for longer than the maximum stay. If everyone uses the right kind of space for their stay, there should be room for everyone. Please check the length of stay before you park. Kind regards ^CP
Hi Fal, this is only for council car parks, not any private permit areas. Kind regards ^CP
HI Dennis, it varies across our Car parks, please see more information here https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/transport-roads-and-parking/parkingspaces/ ^CP
Hello Hanloumac, following feedback from businesses we will now be fining people who park for longer than the maximum stay. If everyone uses the right kind of space for their stay, there should be room for everyone. Please check the length of stay before you park. Kind regards ^CP
Hi Joan, Free parking applies in council-owned car parks only. Here is a list of where parking is free – https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/transport-roads-and-parking/parkingspaces/ hope this helps^CP
Hi the free parking is having a effect on private parking business and there employees, you have but there live in unserty weather they have a job left to go to .
Can’t park in the town centre its rammed full of cars parked up long term, tried to park and pop in for what i wanted and got a ticket, will be avoiding the town centre. Good idea that’s completely failed.Its now impossible to support local businesses.
I apologise for taking this subject off on a tangent, but can you please monitor the use of Market Street in Milnsbridge as a “parking area” when visiting businesses along that street contrary to Yellow road markings. This is a major cross valley route and is VERY unsafe.
That’s great news. The longer free parking for shoppers can be extended the less likely people are to desert town centres to go to out of town retail parks. Hope you are successful in stopping the all day parkers that would spoil this commendable move.
I do a lot of travelling around to other towns, the majority are far better than Huddersfield town centre,which is just awful. Full of drunks, thugs, drug abusers and home less people who claim to be poor, but always seem to be smoking a real cigarrette which I believe are in the region of £10 A packet. If the council really wants the town centre to prosper get rid of the above reduce the rates and rent for the honest retailers. I wil still be going to Halifax and lindley for my shopping unless the councilers actually pulls there fingers out. Unlikley. Oh by the way I do live in Huddersfield just wish it was same place it was when I was a youth.
Very good does this extend to the car park behind Wilkos. and the one near Iceland? If there any private car parks which are not included please will you list them to save confusion for everyone and particularly the elderly. Jo
Good idea to limit the parking stay to what it says on the sign. Too many comedians been abusing the parking and staying all day in some cases. This should stop them!
Also talking about the arts, how about opening up the local theatre to proper capacity. Theatres cannot exist on 50%!!! This is a nation wide situation. People who work in the arts have been thrown under a bus by this government.
What is the maximum stay
I recommend 3 hours
when does maximum stay start then I will come back to huddersfield to shop
… but there are often spaces in the bus station
Hi Kirklees – great idea to stick to maximum times as I’ve struggled to find parking in Huddersfield and Holmfirth when attempting to go shopping recently. In fact I gave up twice as couldn’t find a space anywhere. I recently visited Alnwick where the council have introduced disc parking so you can indicate what time you arrived. Parking is free across the town as long as you stick to the time limits – this is a permanent thing and attracts shoppers and tourists. Maybe Kirklees could introduce discs so it makes it easier to monitor parking durations? In Alnwick you pay £1 for the disc (from a machine in the main car parks and from various local shops) which you keep and use forever.
Are there plenty of disabled parking spaces . As a disabled driver I find it impossible to park in town these days
Hi does this mean that permit areas around town centre also require no permit?
Hello, Following feedback from businesses we will now be fining people who park for longer than the maximum stay. This should reduce the number of people parking in short-stay spaces when they go to work. If everyone uses the right kind of space for their stay, there should be room for everyone. Please check the length of stay before you park. Kind regards ^CP
Hi Lou, Following feedback from businesses we will now be fining people who park for longer than the maximum stay. This should reduce the number of people parking in short-stay spaces when they go to work. If everyone uses the right kind of space for their stay, there should be room for everyone.
Please check the length of stay before you park and be kind 🙂 Kind regards ^CP
That’s great news ,could we please ensure that the civic centre car park is available for shoppers as everytime we have tried to park it’s been full of kirklees council staff cars , thankyou
Nearest you can park is Springwood. Civic Centre full at 9am. Cant be bothered coming to town. Hardly anywhere to shop. Not interested in looking at the artwork.