Plan to increase parking fees when city is busiest

Plans to increase the cost of parking in York at peak times when the city is busiest are expected to be approved later.

Parking charges will rise by an extra 10% on Fridays, Saturdays and during events such as the Christmas market under City of York Council's proposals.

The authority also plans to increase fees at all of its car parks for both visitors and residents with a Minster Badge parking permit, in a bid to raise more money and encourage people to use public transport.

Councillor Kate Ravilious said the plans meant "no new cuts" to other services but a business owner said he feared the fees would push shoppers out of the city.

Ravilious, executive member for transport, said: "Like many other places, we charge less for car parking in the evening, when roads are quieter and buses less frequent.

"Our new car parking prices extend this principle with higher charges for car parking on the days when the city suffers greatest traffic congestion."

The council expects to raise £1m from the new measures as part of its budget proposals, which are due to be discussed at a meeting later.

"This plan has also enabled us to ensure no new cuts to services have been proposed in this budget," Ravilious said.

The cost of parking at any time in the council's car parks would increase from £6.20 to £9.70 for the first two hours, according the council.

This is "more reflective of the cost of using public transport," a council report said.

However, residents who have purchased a Minster Badge parking permit, which gives local drivers cheaper parking, will see their discount increase from 10% to 30%.

Phil Pinder, chair of York High Street Forum, who also runs a business in the city, said there were fears the fees would push shoppers to retail parks where parking is free.

He said he was concerned about the effect on smaller, specialist firms.

"Businesses that rely on regular, local transactions, like alterations shops, key-cutting shops, will disappear in the long term," he said.

"York will always have tourists. But those sort of businesses can't rely on tourist income," Mr Pinder added.

In a joint statement, York's business leaders have said the proposed increases could harm the "economic vibrancy" of the city.

Chris Marsden, who lives in Haxby and travels into the city by both bus and car, said people would be "bamboozled" by additional charges.

"I use the car parks every so often, and not every single week, it might not matter too much to me. But I suppose to local businesses, it will matter a heck of a lot."

Claire Butcher, who lives in Acomb, York, described the prices as "extortionate" for both residents and visitors.

"They are going to kill York city centre. I don't use the car parks very often, they're too expensive," she said.

Katie Lomas, councillor in charge of finances, said an increased discount for residents was proposed after feedback from people during the council's budget consultation.

"Approximately 55% of respondents supported, or strongly supported, increasing parking fees to generate £1m," she said.

"That measure is now included in the budget, to raise income while encouraging sustainable travel."

Any proposals agreed at a council meeting later will need to be approved at a full council meeting in February before they can be introduced.

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