Businesses on a road in York where a ‘no waiting at any time’ restriction will be implemented are concerned it will affect trade.
It is hoped by the City of York Council that the change will help Tadcaster Road cope with current and future travel demands, while supporting and encouraging walking, cycling and using the bus.
Pedestrian crossings and more attractive and safe routes for people on bikes and on foot are to be created.
However, this requires the reduction of on-road parking near the shops on Tadcaster Road.
There is a parking bay outside the shops which will remain. But the fear is that, once on-road parking is banned, these spaces will become blocked by commuters parking there all day.
To counter this, the council says it will work with businesses to potentially create limited time parking for the bays to make them more useful to the shops.
Businesses affected by the changes include a hairdressers, a vinyl record store and the historic Bluefin fish and chip shop. Some of the owners are concerned the new restrictions will damage trade.
Reacting to the decision, Trevor Booth, of York Phone Repairs, which is also affected, said: “If people can’t get out easily they can’t drop a phone off or get some fish and chips.
“It is difficult to park down those side streets. I don’t know where else people would park.”
He said it would “100 per cent” negatively affect business, adding: “I’ve been here for six years and it has been our worst year yet because of the general road works.
“It puts people off. I’m thinking of relocating.”
Mr Booth added: “We have to be able to leave a little bit of time to let people get in and out.”
‘Badly affected’
John Parkinson, who works at a record store on Tadcaster Road, said: “Our business has been quite badly affected.
“People think it is a lost hope so over a period of time people avoid Tadcaster Road, and the question is whether people come back.
“I dare say we’ll survive but it’s been painful.”
Deputy leader of the council and executive member for transport and economy, Cllr Pete Kilbane, said at the council meeting when the decision was made: “There’s been some misinformation around this.”
He added: “What this is about is making sure people can’t park on the carriageway on Tadcaster Road.
“This really is just tidying up and I think most reasonable people agree that people should not be allowed to park on the main carriageway of Tadcaster Road.”