Bradford South MP Judith Cummins has backed a petition calling for free parking in Wibsey.
Campaigners say charges at Tennyson Road Car Park are driving shoppers away from businesses in the village centre. They say fees are also hindering efforts to support the high street.
Bradford Council announced in July that it would remove charges for short-term parking in council-owned car parks.
But at a council meeting in September, the Reform-led administration said the plans were “not deliverable”.
MP backs call for free parking
MP Judith Cummins said local businesses needed help attracting customers.
She said: "Wibsey is a place with enormous potential. People do not want to spend time driving around looking for somewhere free to park.
"They want certainty and convenience when they visit local shops, otherwise they drive elsewhere out of the district where parking is free.
"I am supporting the petition calling on Bradford Council to reconsider its parking policy in Wibsey and bring in the promised free parking, and I encourage residents to sign and support local business."
Campaigners urge council to honour pledge
Campaigner Faiz Ilyas launched the petition, urging the council to honour its original pledge and make parking free at Tennyson Road Car Park.
Judith Cummins MP and Faiz Ilyas overlooking empty car park (Image: Tom W Hughes)
Mr Ilyas said keeping the charges had created uncertainty for businesses and left a key village car park underused.
He said: "The lack of sufficient free short-term parking is pushing shoppers away, hurting local businesses.
"On top of that, the council changing its mind after promising this change has caused more uncertainty that local businesses on the high street just don't need.
"Meanwhile, Wibsey village is left with a well-located car park that spends most of its time nearly empty."
Former councillor brands charges a 'false economy'
Former Wibsey councillor Ralph Berry said the charges were backfiring.
Mr Berry said: "The charges are a false economy because people simply choose to park elsewhere. Instead of boosting fantastic local businesses in Wibsey, they go elsewhere where parking is less hassle.
"Meanwhile, the council makes as little money from an empty paid car park as a full free one, so it is the local high street that suffers."
Tennyson Road car park in Wibsey sits largely empty, with nearby High Street businesses in the background. (Image: Gareth Gregory)
The campaign follows concerns that parking charges are damaging trade in Wibsey. Campaigners want the authority to revive plans for free short-stay parking.
The petition asks Bradford Council to reconsider its decision and restore plans for free short-stay parking at Tennyson Road Car Park.
Supporters say free parking would bring more visitors to the village centre and help traders facing economic pressure.
The petition is available on Bradford Council’s petitions portal.
Bradford Council has been approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.