PARKING could be the number one local issue facing Ilkley as elections approach next month, a parish councillor has claimed.

Cllr Mike Ridgway is urging Ilkley residents to make their feelings known about parking problems and the lack of parking capacity close to Ilkley Station.

And he is calling on candidates to let members of the public know their views on the “major issue” for Ilkley.

Cllr Ridgway has repeatedly called for an answer to parking problems in Ilkley, including measures such as a bigger car park for commuters close to Ilkley Station, in an attempt to stop all-day commuter parking spilling over into residential streets.

Ilkley Parish Council started a petition to Bradford Council late last year calling for extra commuter car parking and a full review of Ilkley’s parking issues.

Cllr Ridgway believes the election now gives the community a chance to thrust the issue into the spotlight.

He said: “It was interesting following a published West Yorkshire survey into parking (published only last month), it was reported that new and improved parking facilities are going to be established at the new Apperley Bridge and Low Moor railway stations to help take commuters off the roads – why cannot this be extended to Ilkley?”

Cllr Ridgway has also highlighted the problem of parking on verges and other inconsiderate parking habits – and is calling for urgent attention to the central South Hawkesworth Street car park.

“With car park annual revenues generated for Bradford Council of more than£200,000 per annum, Ilkley deserves better,” he said.

Cllr Ridgway asked where an additional 1,000 cars are going to park if the 800 homes suggested in the recent Local Plan Core Strategy hearing are built in Ilkley.

A park and ride option suggested for the area would not address the parking problem and would be impractical, he argues.