Council leaders have responded to the backlash on car park price hikes in York.
The Labour administration provoked a furore by introducing blanket charges across council car parks in a bid to discourage car use.
It meant that the price to park in Bishopthorpe Road car park rocketed by 500%. Now, in a partial climbdown, the rise will be limited to 275%.
It used to cost 80p to park in Bishopthorpe Road for an hour. The new prices took this to £4.85 or £5.30 on Friday and Saturday.
Traders said the move would “kill the street off” and a petition against the plan gathered more than 8,000 signatures.
Now though, the plan is to reduce the rise, and charge £3 an hour.
Micklegate residents and businesses were also angered by the big hikes. Here, the changes brought an end to half-hour rates and free Sunday morning stays for churchgoers.
Charges for parking in Micklegate were previously 60p for half an hour and £1.20 for one hour. The half hour was scrapped and again, the hour charge went to £4.85 or £5.30 at the weekend.
Following the backlash, City of York Council conducted a review of parking charges to “address anomalies to provide a more graduated approach in locations outside the immediate city centre”.
Transport lead Cllr Katie Ravilious said: “We have listened to feedback over the past few weeks and acted in response.
“A large proportion of charges will remain unchanged as we reaffirm our commitment to reduce congestion and improve bus service reliability.
“Elsewhere, we propose moving to inner city centre and outer city centre rates for on-street parking, to reflect the importance of community shopping areas outside the inner ring road.
“And on car parks, for consistency, Bishopthorpe Road car park will be moved in line with East Parade local shoppers car park in Heworth, which serves a similar purpose, at £3 per hour and £2.10 per hour for Minster Badge holders at standard times during the week.
“I’m satisfied this range of measures makes the necessary adjustments to support our small independent businesses without undermining the goals of our Local Transport Strategy”.
For on street parking, a temporary arrangement has been agreed to provide a transition period for Micklegate.
A City of York Council spokesperson said: “It’s low starting point of £1.20 per hour previously means its move to city centre rates represents a very substantial increase.
“An interim proposal provides an extended period for businesses and customers to gradually adjust to the inner city on-street parking rate the street will eventually move to.’
Council leader Claire Douglas said “These proposals reflect the fact that initial increases were a shock for some shopping areas and that more time is needed for customers and businesses to adjust.
“We are determined to improve bus services and active travel options, and the principle of reducing congestion remains a key priority for us. It’s vital we improve these options for everyone, including the one in four people in our city who don’t own a car.
“As the city’s population increases significantly in the years to come as thousands more new homes are built, it’s imperative we act on transport by providing good alternatives to free up road space for those that need to use it. The alternative is a move towards gridlock which will cost businesses dearly”.