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27

Sept 2022

Last Updated: 27/09/2022
Environment
Environment

Swinsty Reservoir parking machines approved

by Calvin Robinson

| 27 Sept, 2022
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Yorkshire Water's bid to introduce parking machines and automatic number plate recognition cameras at Swinsty Reservoir is approved.

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Swinsty Reservoir. Picture: Colin Corker.

A plan to introduce parking charge machines at Swinsty Reservoir has been approved.

Yorkshire Water tabled proposals to Harrogate Borough Council to introduce the machines and automatic number plate recognition cameras at the car park.

The company has also proposed introducing charges at Thruscross and Fewston reservoirs.

Washburn Parish Council and local residents previously raised “serious concerns” about the impact of parking charges on local roads.

However, the borough council has now given the go-ahead for the proposal.

Car park users will be able to pay via card payment on site, by using the RingGo app or telephone.

Emergency services and blue badge holders will be exempt from the charges.

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3, an all day pass for £5 and an annual pass for £30.

Yorkshire Water said previously that the revenue generated will help to pay for an in-house rangers team, which would undertake maintenance jobs and tackle anti-social behaviour at its sites.

The company said in documents submitted to the authority:

“The car parking itself provides an important functional element to ensure the management of parking to Swinsty Reservoir and the wider area.
“The site is a long-established car park, and it is not anticipated that the introduction of pay and display facilities would generate a greater use of or cause any greater impact than that arising from the current usage of the site by visitors.”


Concerns over impact on residents


But the plans have been met with concern by local residents.

Washburn Parish Council objected to the proposal and said the move would impact on traffic, character of the area and amenities in the area.



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In a letter to the borough council, Dr Jason Knowles, clerk at the parish council, said there was particular concern around parking.

He said:

“There are concerns that the scheme will lead to unsafe conditions on local rural lanes which will result in traffic being unable to move freely and negatively impact on transport connectivity.
“There has been evidence of cars parking on the roadside, on grass verges, residents drives and field entrances during the lockdowns which has led to traffic congestion and making it difficult for emergency vehicles and farmers to access the area."


Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions, based in York, has been appointed to operate the parking meters. 

The Stray Ferret asked Yorkshire Water when the parking machines will be installed, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.