Revised parking charges approved after backlash

Plans to lower some parking charges in York have been approved following a backlash against price hikes.

In late April, car parking spots including Bishopthorpe Road saw prices rise by 500% from 80p per hour to £4.85.

City of York Council hoped the increases would cut congestion, but local traders reported a drop in takings due to the "unaffordable" charges.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the council's executive decided to cut on-street parking fees outside the inner ring road to £3 per hour from early July.

Kate Ravilious, Labour's transport spokesperson on the council, said the local authority had listened to raised concerns about the price hike.

"While we remain committed to tackling congestion and making it easier for everyone to get around, it is clear that some of the changes introduced were too much, too soon," she said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, parking at Bishopthorpe Road's car park would cost £3 per hour, with a maximum stay of three hours.

It will also mean no Friday, Saturday or event uplift and no evening charge in the outer inner ring road car parks.

On-street parking in Micklegate and Priory Street will also be £3 per hour, the council confirmed, however fees would be "reviewed in the future".

The Labour administration previously said April's hikes were needed to deal with traffic issues and to help balance council finances.

Ravilious said: "Congestion is throttling York - buses, deliveries and essential workers are delayed and lives are put at risk because emergency services are stuck in traffic.

"One third of city centre traffic is drivers searching for a parking space, and whenever I or anyone drives into York we're contributing to that congestion."

Acknowledging concern about the recent price lift, she added: "I take on board the challenges that have been raised and I welcome the commitment to work together going forward."

Liberal Democrat Nigel Ayre said the recent changes had failed to discourage car use, shore up the council's finances or support local businesses.

"This has led to an entirely unsatisfactory situation which could and should have been avoided," the opposition leader said.

"We have a parking policy which has been made up on the hoof, it's half-hearted and doesn't please anyone."

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