What is the social impact of introducing parking charges in local beauty spots? Will the money saved be worth more or less than the social value enabled by having free access to green spaces?

Leeds is one of a few councils that have introduced parking charges at popular parks in the city this year, Birmingham being another. Councils are under massive pressure to find money to maintain these spaces – it’s an unfortunate but, they say, necessary step.

The charges are relatively low in Leeds (£2.50 for a half day and £4 for a full day at Leeds parks including Roundhay, Golden Acre and Temple Newsham), but may still preclude low-income families from accessing these green spaces, which are already hard to come by in urban areas.

The money does need to come from somewhere. But is limiting parking options to those who can afford to pay going to result in longer-term negative social impacts in the city? Does it reduce accessibility to nature?

With our social value hats on, what do we think? What are the unforeseen outcomes that may negate the short-term cash injection (e.g. health and wellbeing outcomes, parking pushed into neighbouring residential streets, public attractions like the gallery at Roundhay being forced to closed through lack of footfall)?

And are there any alternative solutions?

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