Controversial Parking Charge Hike Nets Calderdale Council £1 Million Surplus

Calderdale Council has posted a £1.05 million surplus in parking revenue, thanks in large part to an increase in parking charges introduced late last year—though not without stirring local opposition.

The new charges, rolled out in November 2024, affected several parking zones across Halifax, Hebden Bridge, and Brighouse. While aimed at boosting council income, the decision sparked grassroots campaigns in Hebden Bridge and Brighouse, where residents and local businesses voiced strong concerns about its impact.

According to recently published finance reports, both on-street and off-street parking revenues exceeded targets, helping to offset wider budget pressures faced by the council’s Neighbourhoods and Public Services departments.

Despite the parking windfall, Calderdale’s overall neighbourhoods budget still ran into a significant overspend, driven by rising costs in road maintenance, special education transport, and waste management.

The surplus now adds fuel to the ongoing debate: are increased charges a necessary financial strategy—or a burden on already strained communities?