Anger over a ‘massive jump’ in the price to park on a main York street has forced the council into a rethink.
Proposed hikes to Micklegate parking charges would see an end to half-hour rates and free Sunday morning stays for churchgoers.
Businesses said the hike was effectively a price increase for people using the shops and services on York’s royal street.
They have started a petition gathering signatures from people who support their campaign to keep the prices down.
And now City of York Council has put the plan on hold while it consults further.
Parking price increases were passed during the budget. The council’s ruling Labour group says the charges are in line with the cost of a family bus ticket and aimed to cut car use.
It brought an end to the half-hour rates on Micklegate, and put up the rates for one hour to £5.30 and for two to £10.60 on Fridays and Saturdays, or £4.85 / £9.70 Sunday to Thursdays.
Charges for parking in Micklegate were previously 60p for half an hour and £1.20 for one hour.
Amy and John Hughes, of the Cads of Micklegate barbershop, said the end to a half-hour stay option threatened to put potential customers off using businesses on the street.
They weren’t able to warn their customers about the hikes because they did not know about them.
They said: “We felt embarrassed about it because it’s effectively an increase in the price of coming here for them.
“We’ve been here for 30 years so they’ll always be people who pay to come, but potential new customers like students or people who are new to the area might look elsewhere.
“We want to see the half-hour rate brought back because a lot of the people who come here and to other businesses only come for 15 to 20 minutes. The hour charge is a massive jump.”
‘A considerable shock’
Parking charges in Micklegate were waived until 1pm on Sundays before the proposed hikes. It meant people could attend church services without being charged to park.
St Mary’s Bishophill Junior church warden Angela Carter said: “Our church and others here are ancient buildings and don’t have car parks, many of those in our congregations are elderly and frail and being able to park on the road helps those with limited mobility.
“Free parking on a Sunday morning was in place for a number of yearsand the change comes as were approaching Holy Week which is very important for us.
“It’s come as a considerable shock to us, we didn’t hear anything about this and it affects our right to and access to worship.”
The Liberal Democrat opposition group on York council said they had been contacted by Micklegate residents, businesses and worshippers who were angry about the changes.
Cllr Ashley Mason, the Lib Dems’ economy lead, said: “Their frustration is understandable especially at a time when many are also grappling with the impact of the Labour Government’s increase in National Insurance employer contributions.
“It is shameful that the council has scrapped Sunday morning exemptions in an area with several active churches, with no prior notice or consultation. People should be able to attend religious services without the threat of fines.”
He hoped the council would “reverse these on-street parking charge increases to allow for a proper review of the Council’s parking strategy and to enable the immediate release of the full equality impact assessment.
“We need a fairer, more balanced approach to parking that supports our local economy.”
Chris Steward, leader of the Conservative group , said they had opposed charge hikes when the council passed its budget.
Cllr Steward said: “All of these increases are making it harder for York residents to go about their daily lives and for small businesses in particular to succeed.”
Labour’s transport lead Cllr Kate Ravilious said she will meet with affected businesses and churches next week to discuss the hikes.
Cllr Ravilious said: “While we undertook the most detailed and thorough budget consultation for years in developing our budget for 2025-6, and parking charges were widely discussed, we understand that many organisations in Micklegate would not have picked up on the implications for that area.
“So, we’ve requested that council officers do not enforce the changes in this area until we’ve further consulted in the coming days.
“It’s important we hear from those affected and understand the impact.”