Car parking in the Yorkshire Dales will be more expensive from April

Walkers heading for the Yorkshire Dales face increased car-parking charges from next month.

A day’s parking will cost £4 from 1 April – a 14 per cent rise – and short term charges will also go up, from £2.20 to £2.50 at the national park authority’s car parks.

But motorists will still be able to use special free parking slots for up to ten minutes while they spend a penny. And 24-hour and 48-hour tickets providing visitors with the option to leave their vehicle overnight – with the flexibility to go off walking or cycling in the Dales – will also remain unchanged.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, in common with all England’s national parks, is facing budget cuts of 31 per cent imposed by the coalition Government.

Malcolm Petyt, the authority’s member champion for recreation management, said: “It is important to point out that our car park revenue contributes to the upkeep of the national park – for example, the maintenance of the public rights of way network – and our work to conserve and enhance the special qualities of this beautiful area.”

Head of park management Kathryn Beardmore said the charges will still compare favourably with other all-day parking charges in the area. Charges for residents’ passes will also be frozen.

“The national park authority has held most of its car-park charges over the past four years but, unfortunately, the recent increase in VAT and other financial pressures mean that we have now had to increase some of our charges,” she said.

“However, as well as the freeze on residents’ and frequent users’ fees, coaches will continue to park free and the 10-minute, free, quick stop bays in all car parks will remain.

“We believe the fees offer good value for money, especially as many of our car parks have additional visitor facilities such as free public toilets, and some have national park visitor centres or picnic areas too.”

Weekly passes provided in conjunction with Richmondshire District Council that can be used in all national park and RDC car parks will increase from £10 to £12, the first rise in three years.