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Traders in Headingley are calling for a “fairer” parking system to boost their businesses. They say they are suffering badly in the recession because of a lack of parking and the introduction of residents-only parking schemes.

A petition calling for change has attracted more than 1,200 signatures and presented to Gary Bartlett, chief highways officer.

A city council spokeswoman said later: “We have been carrying out a study into parking and traffic in Headingley over the past six months.

“We have consulted local residents, traders and other interested parties. The results will be reported to highway bosses shortly, after which a decision will be made on the existing parking restrictions.”

Traders flagged up their concerns two years ago since when the council has done nothing, despite making sympathetic noises.

Naveen Ahmed, of Parklane Properties, said: “As usual, the council has taken forever to deal with this issue. In the meantime businesses are trying to cope with the worst economic recession in living memory.

“Several businesses have closed or re-located. Some are better off re-locating to the city centre because there is no parking for their customers in Headingley.

“We think that when the council introduced residents-only parking schemes, they didn’t do a proper consultation. Hopefully they have now done a proper audit and they will come up with a fairer system.”

Traders say they are particularly incensed that spaces are free during the day on the Granby estate, where residents-only parking was
introduced, and yet they cannot be used by shoppers.

A spokeswoman for retailers at Far Headingley shopping parade said they were most concerned about the complete ban on parking after 4.30pm.

“There are a couple of restaurants here and a fancy dress business that
rely on trade at that time of day,” she said. “That is, when mums need to pick up costumes and restaurants open at 5.30/6pm, there is nowhere to park.

“We rely on passing trade, too, and people simply will not stop if they cannot pull over and find parking that is not resident-only or
restricted by the time of day”