Businesses on a much-disrupted York road have reacted with anger at plans to restrict parking on one stretch of the street.
As part of the long-running alterations on Tadcaster Road, it is proposed to introduce ‘No waiting at any time’.
Double yellow lines would be added with the aim of stopping people parking and blocking traffic. This would affect:
- both sides of the road, between 6 metres and 11 metres north east from the centreline of Slingsby Grove
- the south east side, between 44 metres and 47 metres north east from the centreline of Slingsby Grove.
The changes are required “due to the changes to the highway, which included the introduction of increased footpath width and off-road cycling provision” says a council report.
It adds: “The improvements and changes to the highway network have required the reduction of a parking area near the shops on Tadcaster Road, which has created a concern about long term parking in the bay reducing the availability of parking for customers of the shops.”
Feedback to a consultation on the proposals has identified the concerns of some of the business owners on this stretch of Tadcaster Road.
One says: “The City of York Council have failed us!
“You have also greatly misled us into these miserable chaotic months of roadworks – to now apply a tourniquet to strangle the shops; you have reduced our parking to four cars!
“You are all clueless into how a business can run in times like this, does the council hate the shops on the Tadcaster road this much?
“We strongly oppose the restrictions, they are unnecessary unwanted and unhelpful.”
Another writes: “I am involved in running two businesses directly affected by the ongoing disruption and consequent parking changes.
“Without labouring the point, I think it is fair to say businesses operating in this locality have been negatively affected by the drawn out and sporadic nature of the ongoing council works in the area and that confidence in those charged with overseeing these works is at a low ebb.
“The tide of works disruption has however shown that vehicle parking in the area is a lifeline for us given that we do not have the footfall of the town centre…
“The parking is of course not ours alone, but our customers comprise the vast bulk of its users; so shaping the parking around the shops will make it work better.”
A third writes: “As a business owner on the parade of shops on Tadcaster Road York I would like to voice my own, my staff (and the wider community’s) dismay at the continued disruption to the area outside our businesses.
“We are all frustrated and angry at the level of ineptitude that has left us seriously inconvenienced and with a negative impact on all who work and live in the area…
“Eight businesses across the street with REDUCED parking down to four as a result of the ‘new configuration – it’s completely inadequate and shows the total lack of council concern for local business and the community they serve.”
The businesses in this area of Tadcaster Road include a vets, a vinyl record shop, takeaways, hairdressers and an insurance broker.
The proposals will be considered at a decision session by the executive member for economy and transport next Tuesday (14 November).
You can read the report here.