Motorists could be charged for parking on Keighley streets.

Bradford Council is considering introducing fees to bring in desperately-needed revenue.

But the proposal has been criticised amid fears it may hit town centre trade.

Steve Seymour, manager of the Airedale Shopping Centre and a member of Keighley Town Centre Association, said: “It would be detrimental to the local economy.

“Although the rates in our centre car park are very competitive, there are a lot of people who park on the streets and shoot in and out of shops – those people may go elsewhere rather than pay for parking.

“There are a number of issues that would need to be sorted out – such as which streets are included, how it would be policed etc – and there must be full and proper consultation.”

Keighley town councillor Graham Mitchell, chairman of the watch and transport committee, said the issue of on-street parking charges had not arisen before but he would include it on the agenda for the committee’s next meeting.

He added: “We would need to know the details of the proposals and I hope that as a town council we would be given the opportunity to discuss them and officially comment before any final decision is made.”

Bradford Council said this week that the proposals – which also apply to Shipley, Bingley and Ilkley – were at the very early stages.

Paul Ratcliffe, the council’s parking services manager, said they would be debated as part of the whole budget package at a full council meeting today.

He added: “As soon as the proposals are drafted and the locations identified there will be full consultation with the public, partners and other interested bodies.”

Bradford Council is set to make £30 million in cuts to services in the next year.

The on-street parking charges would bring in an estimated £113,000.

The closure of some care homes would save £600,000, a reduction in voluntary sector grants £652,000 and a cut in road maintenance £300,000.

Five libraries also face the axe, including Denholme and Wilsden.

They would be replaced with mobile services.

Denholme town councillor Anne Jay said she and colleagues opposed the closure of the community facility – in the Mechanics’ Institute - and would be raising the matter with district council representatives.

“Over the years the library opening hours have been eroded and if the facility goes altogether it will be another thing taken away from Denholme – we haven’t got many facilities left,” she said.

Wilsden Parish Council is meeting on Monday (Feb 28) to discuss the proposed closure of its village library.

Clerk Barbara Thompson said the council could not officially comment ahead of the meeting but added: “Support for the library service – and indeed improvement to it – is a key plank within the Parish Plan and the parish council is working to that end and will continue to do so. We are concerned about the lack of notice and consultation and will be expressing these concerns to the district councillors for our area.”