Cllr Ashley Mason, economy spokesperson for York Council’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said lowering some charges to £3-an-hour softened the blow but could not undo the harm already done by hikes.
Conservative group leader Cllr Chris Steward said the reductions did not go far enough and came after Labour ignored warnings about putting up charges during Budget discussions in February.
It comes after Labour transport spokesperson Cllr Kate Ravilious said the proposals showed her group had listened and was acting following a backlash since April’s hikes.
Plans were drawn up following talks with traders and affected residents’ feedback in areas including Micklegate and Bishopthorpe Road.
Talks have been ongoing since charges rose to £4.85-an-hour for the first two hours and to £5.30-an-hour on Fridays, Saturdays and during events across the city in April.
They are agreed as part of the 2025-6 Budget along with the rates set for other council fees, charges and spending.
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The proposals, which are set to go before the council’s Executive in June, would see on-street parking outside York’s inner ring road reduced to £3-an-hour.
Moving Bishopthorpe Road car park’s tariffs in line with those charged at Heworth’s East Parade would also see charges set at £3-an-hour.
Bishopthorpe Road, in York. Picture: Google Street View
Fees in Micklegate and Priory Street would be temporarily set at £3-an-hour, with increases staggered to £4.85/£5.30-an-hour over time and free Sunday morning would remain until new policies are agreed.
City car parks charges will remain as agreed in February in line with efforts to tackle congestion and raise funds amid forecast council budget gaps of up to £10 million-a-year.
It follows opposition to hikes which ended 60 half-hourly rates in Micklegate and saw charges rise by more than 500 per cent at the Bishopthorpe Road car park, from 80p-an-hour.
Business owners in both streets said the increases were driving customers away while a petition calling for Bishopthorpe Road car park hikes to be stopped has garnered around 8,200 signatures.
Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Cllr Mason said the outrage from traders, confusion of residents and the hasty re-writing of the charges had been entirely predictable.
Cllr Manson said: “Labour’s chaotic handling of parking charges across York has caused real damage to local businesses.
“Cllr Ravillious and her colleagues pushed ahead with sweeping increases without proper consultation or a fully thought through strategy for parking. Cllr Ravillious has presided over a shambolic process.
“Residents and local businesses across York have been left to deal with the fallout of a poorly thought-through plan that hit community shopping areas hardest.”
Conservative group leader Cllr Steward said the changes had been prompted by a wake up call following the backlash rather than on principle.
The Conservative said: “Labour reversing parts of its parking increases is welcome but it has not gone far enough and has brought chaos in the meantime.
“They say they listened but the increases stemmed from their Budget where they ignored our comments that parking charges were too high.
“Labour simply don’t understand any business never mind small business and the damaging impact their changes had, you cannot for example pop by for a £3 coffee if parking to get it will be almost £5.”
Labour’s Transport Executive Member Cllr Ravilious said following the unveiling of the revised charges on Friday, May 16 that they aimed to support community shopping destinations.
But she added her administration remained committed to a consistent approach to parking rather than a localised one benefitting some areas over others.
Cllr Ravilious said: “A large proportion of charges will remain unchanged as we reaffirm our commitment to reduce congestion and improve bus service reliability.”
Labour council leader Cllr Claire Douglas said while they recognised the hikes had come as a shock to some, they would continue working to tackle congestion in York.
The council leader said: “As the city’s population increases significantly in the years to come as thousands more new homes are built, it’s imperative we act.
“The alternative is a move towards gridlock which will cost businesses dearly.”
