Executive members have listened to representations from local communities and agreed to several changes to car parking charges in the city.
The changes come after traders expressed significant concerns at the cost to park in areas that previously had very low parking charges. The new pricing model introduces lower pricing in community shopping and residential areas outside of the inner ring road, whilst maintaining existing charges in the heart of the city. This forms part of an evidence led approach to tackle traffic congestion and improve travel options for everybody.
Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said:
We are a council that listens. This year’s budget was the result of the most extensive budget consultation in years. We promised when setting the budget we would monitor the impact of any changes and continue to listen.
“While making these changes now, we remain committed to tackling congestion in the city centre. We share the frustrations of those who are sat in traffic day in, day out. We are getting on with delivering our plans for a healthier, better connected and more sustainable city by taking steps to make it easier and quicker for everyone to get around.”
Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport:
We are grateful for those who have worked with us to explore solutions.
“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.
“We’ve listened and will now get on with implementing these new arrangements”
At a meeting tonight/last night (3 June) Executive agreed a range of changes to parking charges. At the same time Executive accepted a challenge under the Traffic Management Act, to carry out a review into the impact of the car parking charges at Bishopthorpe Road car park.
The changes include:
- approving an increase in the discount for the Minster Badge to 30% of the standard parking charge, from the current 24% to reduce the impact of increased parking charges on residents
- maintaining existing charging at all city centre car parks
- introducing an “outside the inner ring road” lower parking rate including Bishopthorpe Road, which it’s proposed is moved in line with charges approved for community car parks at East Parade and Rowntree Park in the council’s 2025-26 Budget. This would mean Bishopthorpe Road car park would become £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 Friday, Saturday or event uplift and no evening charge in these car parks
- 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 existing higher city centre rate. This will be reviewed in the future. City centre evening parking rates for this area will still apply.
- approving 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 outside of the immediate city centre.
- removing the proposed charges for dedicated motorcycle bays. to recognise that the motorcycle bays 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 to set a discount that better reflects the contribution of all types of vehicles to congestion and takes in 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 last year’s prices, plus circa 5% increase, with a 20% discount for low emission vehicles to 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.
The new charges will be advertised in accordance with legislation, meaning these charges will come into effect around Early July - after the statutory 21 day notice period and the necessary changes to the parking software.
Now that Executive has approved a change to the reduction for the low vehicle emission discount, Contract, Season and ResPark permit holders will be refunded the difference. The council will automatically apply these refunds and will share more information on the refunds process as soon as possible.
The papers from the Executive meeting are available to view online, and the meeting is available to view at our Meeting webcasts webpage.