Concerns have been raised that a proposal to stop people paying for their parking in cash in York could ‘leave some residents behind’.
As YorkMix previously reported, City of York Council is considering ditching cash payments at its car parks and on-street parking, which would save £45,000 a year.
Executive member for economy and transport Cllr Pete Kilbane authorised a public consultation into the plans at a meeting on Tuesday.
The council says that the results of the public consultation will be reported to Cllr Kilbane at a future meeting ready for a “decision to acknowledge the consultation findings and move to cashless payment methods”
Today Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Cllr Stephen Fenton has raised concerns that the wording of the recommendation makes it appear that a decision to go cashless is already a ‘done deal.’
He has called for meaningful consultation before a final decision is made.
Cllr Fenton commented “Over the past few weeks I have been speaking with residents at community events around my ward, and many older people in particular have expressed concerns that a ‘digital only’ approach for things such as parking risks leaving them behind and unable to access services.
“Many residents have told me that whilst paying for parking via an app would be impossible for them, paying via contactless card could be a feasible alternative to cash.
“There are also drawbacks with an ‘app only’ approach to paying for parking if, for example, your phone battery dies.
“It is essential that the consultation is not just a straight ‘Yes / No’ question but explores all of the issues and possible options.
“It is right that the council looks to cut costs where it can, but this must not be at the expense of residents for whom accessing services digitally is a significant challenge.”
Cllr Kilbane told the meeting the council was committed to a full access to the city centre for everyone “but we do need to make some savings”.
“We need to come up with solutions, and if that solution ends up being that we have to keep some cash parking, then that could well be the outcome of the consultation,” he said.
Flick Williams, who often campaigns on disability issues in York, noted other issues not covered in the report.
“Those in coercive relationships, most usually women, will often use cash to avoid surveillance of their location from their bank card use from their abusive partners,” she said.
Ms Williams added: “This is what this is really about; switching from pay and display to pay on exit.
“If so, restoring barriers to car parks also opens up a whole new can of worms regarding the accessibility of pedestrian movement.”
Additional reporting: Adam Laver, local democracy reporter
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