Commuters may face parking charge

The car park at Sandal is full from early morning

Parking charges could be introduced at some suburban railway stations in West Yorkshire where commuters currently leave their cars for free.

A document seen by BBC News shows it could cost £1 a day to park at stations such as Crossflatts, Guiseley, Menston, and Sandal and Agbrigg.

In return, public transport body Metro would provide more parking spaces and better security.

But it says no decision has been taken and the idea is still being considered.

Higher charges

A one-year trial of the parking charges could start at up to four stations in 2006 and would be reviewed after a year.

The document warns that while the initial charge would be £1 there is a "longer term plan for higher charges once the market has been tested and charges accepted by users."

Surveys have been conducted by Metro among commuters who currently park for free about what improvements they would like to see.

Half of those questioned wanted more parking spaces while extra safety and security was a particular issue at Sandal and Agbrigg near Wakefield.

Commenting on the document, Metro said the end of free parking was just one idea being considered and it had yet to be put before the members of the public transport authority.