STEETON residents could see an end to nuisance parking by workers, patients and visitors from nearby Airedale Hospital.

A residents-only parking scheme is to be introduced in residential streets surrounding the hospital in the Thornhill Road area.

Keighley MP John Grogan this week said he had brokered a deal between the hospital and Bradford Council to secure funding.

He revealed the hospital would put in £10,000 and Keighley Area Committee – part of Bradford Council – would provide £5,000.

Mr Grogan said: “For the last two years I have been trying to find a solution for Steeton residents who have complained they cannot park in their own street.

“The council now have the money in the bank to fund a residents-only parking scheme. I understand they will undertake a public consultation on which streets should be included later in the year.”

Cllr David Mullen, chairman of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council, said residents of both villages would be happy to see the introduction of such a scheme.

He said: “We have been asking for this for many years and finally our pleas are going to be answered. We can only hope that when the scheme comes in to effect it is enforced robustly.”

The scheme was also welcomed by David Moss, managing director of AGH Solutions which manages the facilities at Airedale Hospital.

He said: “We’re conscious of the impact we have as a large employer and the effect this may have on local residents.

“We want to be good neighbours and support the local community, so we have worked to create a new parking scheme that benefits staff and patients, and residents.

“Since the hospital first opened in 1970 our activity has grown significantly, with nearly three times as many as many people attending our Emergency department than when it first opened.

“Consequently, we have employed more staff which has meant more vehicles coming to the hospital.”

“We have recently created a new 330 space parking area for staff, as well as the work we have undertaken over the past few years to improve parking as a whole.

“This means that there are now more spaces than ever before for patients, visitors and staff to park on site. We are fortunate to be one of the few hospitals with surplus parking, which will enable us to accommodate more vehicles in the future.”

Mr Grogan said a Labour Government would, if elected, be committed to introducing free parking at Airedale Hospital for staff and patients.