THREE councillors have called for extended free parking in council-run car parks as a way to encourage shoppers back to the high street.

Baildon's Conservative councillors Debbie Davies, Val Townend and Mike Pollard described the idea as a "simple way" to help businesses bounce back after an "unavoidably torrid time".

Cllr Pollard said he was "disappointed" that neighbouring councils had extended their free parking offer, including Kirklees until August 31.

But Bradford Council warned the "serious financial pressures" facing local councils would not make it a viable solution.

It said the charges for car parks are a source of income to help pay for services the council provides.

Estimates suggest the council could face a £55.5 million budget deficit by the end of the financial year.

Fighting the case for an extension, councillor Val Townend said: “Local shops have had an unavoidably torrid time during the past few months but now many are re-opening we want to encourage residents to shop and one simple way the Council could do this is to suspend parking charges a little longer.”

Cllr Mike Pollard added:"We are very disappointed that so far Bradford hasn’t done so and not only charges in small villages and towns but has increased charges in the past year making it even more difficult for local, independent shops to survive."

Cllr Debbie Davies said many councils across Yorkshire have free parking all year round.

Cllr Davies said: "As well as helping our shops we should be encouraging people to use the car parks to relieve pressure on nearby residential streets.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford's portfolio holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said the council is "committed" to supporting local businesses.

He said the lockdown had led to an "unprecedented drop in income", including funds coming from car parks.

Cllr Ross-Shaw said: “To date, we have paid around £114.475 million to more than 10,000 local businesses in grant funding.

“Our Invest in Bradford business support team is working all hours advising businesses across the district on the support available to them.

“We appreciate that parking is always an emotive issue but as the high street re-opens it is important we can manage parking spaces effectively and we’ve liaised with other councils to try ensure we adopt a similar approach in managing the return of parking charges.

“Parking charges play an essential role in the careful management of our town and city centres where there is high demand for parking space.

“They encourage a healthy turn-over of vehicles and shoppers.

“It is important to note that Baildon already has some free short stay parking, however, charges are a source of income to help pay for the vital public services the council provides.

“Like councils across the UK, Bradford Council is facing serious financial pressures due to coronavirus.

“Lockdown meant an unprecedented drop in income and a rise in costs.

“Whilst the government has provided some funding, it falls far short of the actual costs incurred and they have refused to fund councils for lost income from services such as parking.

“We continue to call for the government to fully compensate councils for the losses and hope councillors Davies, Townend and Pollard will support us in this.”