It's great to have tourists ... but it means locals get squeezed

RESIDENTS TORN OVER GROWING POPULARITY OF 'BEAUTIFUL' TOWN

- By DAN TAYLOR & ADITI RANE

COBBLED streets wind past vibrant shopfronts, stone cottages perch on steep hillsides, and the River Calder sparkles beneath arched canal bridges.

Hebden Bridge, tucked in the heart of the Calder Valley between Halifax and Todmorden, resembles a town lifted straight from a postcard.

Once a sleepy mill town, it has transformed itself into one of northern England's most sought-after places to live, consistently featuring on lists of scenic, community-focused towns.

However, speak to the people who live and work here, and a different picture emerges: one of affection mixed with weariness.

For all its charm, Hebden Bridge's popularity brings challenges. Locals say there are too many tourists, insufficient parking, and a growing sense that the balance between residents and visitors is tipping.

Even on an ordinary Thursday afternoon, long after the summer crowds have departed, parking is limited. Drivers circle the town centre and its narrow lanes, scanning side streets in hope of a space.

As one resident stated: “You can spend longer finding somewhere to park than enjoying your coffee.”

Ben Oliver, 39, who relocated from Sunderland in March 2020, agreed.

“It’s a beautiful place with a strong community, and you can see the moors from here,” he said.

“But town parking can get difficult, and because of the tourists it attracts, prices go up.”

He added: “Weekends are the worst. Sometimes you just give up trying to park and walk in from the edge of town.

“It’s great that people visit because it brings life and money in, but it also means locals get squeezed a bit.”

Yet despite these difficulties, it's not hard to understand why so many fall head over heels for the place.

Independent boutiques line Market Street, there’s artisan bakeries, and the wooded hills encircling the town.