The number of people in York and the amount they spent both went up in the month since car park charges were hiked.
New figures show an increase in footfall on Parliament Street of more than 28% year on year in April, a City of York Council report says.
And spend has gone up 3.7% year on year. That’s despite large price increases at council car parks that took effect in April and prompted a major backlash.
A City of York Council spokesperson says “an initial analysis of the economic impact is very positive”. Nevertheless the executive is planning to review the parking policy at the meeting on Tuesday.
Council leader Claire Douglas said: “We have recognised the strength of feeling and feedback from local communities following the implementation of new parking charges and continue to listen to concerns.
“At the upcoming executive meeting we will consider a number of options which seek to address the issues raised, while still supporting our ambitions to develop a healthier, more sustainable and better connected city.”
Transport lead Cllr Kate Ravilious said: “Money from car parking goes straight back into improving our highways and public transport. This year we have increased investment in our highway maintenance programme to £10 million, meaning more potholes are being repaired on York’s roads – with over 9,000 repaired last year alone.
“We are also investing over £50 million in sustainable travel improvements, including ticket concessions for young people, better real time information and in the Station Gateway scheme which includes a bus interchange.
“This is all focused on making it easier for everyone to get around.
“To do this we must tackle congestion which residents have told us has a detrimental impact on how they live and work in the city, including their health and wellbeing.
“In recent weeks I have been listening to local residents and businesses. Everyone’s love and support for our incredible independent businesses has shone through.
“One of the great strengths of the city is the vibrant local economies that residents enjoy in their local areas. We continue to listen and as a result we are looking at reviewing some of the parking charges in line with our transport strategy and using a data led and evidence based approach.”
Interim options
The executive will consider a range of interim options which could be introduced while a review into the impact of the car parking charges takes place. These include:
- an increase in the parking discount for the Minster Badge from 24% to 30% to reduce the impact on residents
- maintaining existing pricing at all city centre car parks
- introduce an “outside the inner ring road” lower parking rate. This would put Bishopthorpe Road car park in line with charges approved for community car parks at East Parade and Rowntree Park, making it £3 per hour with a maximum stay of three hours. It would be £2.10 per hour for Minster Badge holders. It will also mean no extra charges on Fridays, Saturdays or event days and no evening charges
- approving the adjustment of charges in the Micklegate and Priory Street area to the ‘outside the inner ring road’ on-street parking rate, rather than its current higher city centre rate. That would “recognise the anomalously low parking charges in this area previously and to give local businesses time to adjust,” the council says, adding: “This will be reviewed in the future.” City centre evening parking rates for this area will still apply.
- agreeing that East Parade car park should remain matched to the ‘outer’ on-street local parking rate to ensure consistency across out-of-city-centre parking and reflect the different nature of local shopping areas
- removing the proposed charges for dedicated motorcycle bays. to recognise that the these are generally in locations where a car space is not possible
- increase the discount for low emission vehicle permits to 20%, from the current 16% discount. That would “better reflect the contribution of all types of vehicles to congestion and take into account the land-use impact of vehicle parking”
- approve that contract parking permits are no longer linked to season tickets, and will be set at 5% above last year’s prices, with a 20% discount for low emission vehicles. That would “recognise the unique circumstances of the small number of residents who live within the city walls without access to resident parking schemes”.
- to undertake a review and develop a policy position around travel to places of worship
- accept the challenge to review parking charges under the Traffic Management Act 2004, this will include consultation with businesses and residents and community groups.
If approved, the new charges will need to be advertised for 21 days in accordance with legislation, meaning those charges implemented will come into effect late June/early July and be subject to a pending review.