Leeds parking machine vandalism could cost thousands

National World - LocalTV

Leeds City Council faces a repair bill running into thousands of pounds after machines to enforce new parking charges at beauty spots were vandalised.

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00:00If you've visited Temple Newsome, Otley Shevin or Golden Acre, Roundhay and Middleton parks recently,

00:07you'll have spotted these pay and display machines, which were introduced in February by Leeds City Council.

00:13They said they were essential to help plug a multi-million pound budget gap and to pay for car park maintenance.

00:20Now though, the authority faces a repair bill running into thousands of pounds

00:24after some of the enforcement machines at the beauty spots have been vandalised.

00:29Leeds City Council said five machines were damaged at parks around the city,

00:33and each could cost up to £3,500 to repair or replace.

00:38The Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Greenspaces, Councillor Mohamed Rafiq,

00:44told a recent council meeting that police investigations are ongoing.

00:48He said that in the imminent future, the vandalised machines will not be replaced

00:53as it is too likely they will be vandalised again,

00:56adding that the council are considering a range of options at the impacted sites,

01:01ranging from cameras to the permanent removal of the meters.

01:06The council have said drivers can make electronic payments instead of using the machines,

01:11and reflecting on the impact of the charges, they've said it's too early to draw a conclusion

01:16as the charges have only just been in place for a month.

01:20The decision to introduce the charges was said not to be implemented lightly,

01:25and it was as a result of the council facing unprecedented budget challenges,

01:29needing to find over £100 million in savings over the next financial year.

01:35Blue badge holders are exempt from the new payment,

01:38while motorists are charged £1 for two hours, £2.50 for a half day and £4 for a full day.

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