Idle: ‘Parking charges are killing our village trade’

The changes include a new flat fee £1 hourly rate, rising to £1.50 per hour at busier spots, with free evening parking scrapped.

New annual fees for residents’ parking permits have also been the subject of a backlash.

The BBC spoke to businesses and shoppers in Idle, where the previously free car park in The Green is now subject to charges.

Carissa Patten runs a gift shop in the village and recently opened a greengrocers.

She said some people had been boycotting the 35-bay car park following the introduction of the new charges.

“Everyone in the village has seen a large drop in customers, about 40 per cent,” she said.

“Some people have been closing early.

“They told us there wouldn’t be any impact, but we have all seen the impact.

“It’ll end up that the village shuts down.”

She said the charges had also led to traffic problems in other parts of the village where there are no parking regulations.

“People are genuinely angry and don’t want to pay,” she said

“I don’t understand why they can’t at least offer us 20 minutes free for people nipping into the post office or card shop for five minutes. There needs to be some flexibility.”

She said she was hopeful the charges may be withdrawn, pointing to a similar reversal in neighbouring Kirklees.