Talks over the implementation of new parking charges in Micklegate are set to take place in the coming days, but hikes across York will still go ahead.
The talks between City of York Council officials and Micklegate business and church representatives follow new charges which replaced half-hour rates in the street earlier this month.
Now it has emerged that the backlash against the parking hikes has spread from Micklegate to other areas, including Bishopthorpe Road and the Groves.
Labour transport lead Cllr Kate Ravilious said they wanted to listen to local views in Micklegate and explain their parking plans, adding they would be reviewed in the coming months.
But opposition Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Cllr Ashley Mason said they were disappointed the council had decided to press ahead with charges before this week’s talks take place.
City-wide charges which came into force on Friday, 11 April applied fees of £4.85 for one hour and £9.70 for two across the city from Sunday to Thursday.
Fees for York’s city centre car parks and on-street spaces also rose to £5.30 for the first hour and £10.60 for two on Fridays, Saturdays and during events.
The hikes, agreed as part of the Labour-run council’s Budget measures in February, were set to match a family bus ticket and aimed to cut car use.
But they saw free Sunday parking in Micklegate for churchgoers until 1pm suspended while 60p half-hour on-street rates were also abolished, leading to complaints which put them on hold.
Elsewhere, charges at the Bishopthorpe Road car park were also temporarily suspended amid concerns over the impact on businesses there.
A transport decision session yesterday (Tuesday) where the issue was discussed also heard there was opposition to the hikes in The Groves with a petition calling for their reversal.
It led to Liberal Democrat calls for the repayment of charges collected in Micklegate and for Labour to explain why some charges were suspended in some places and not others.
The opposition also claimed the council did not properly consult on the hikes before their implementation.
The group’s transport spokesperson Cllr Stephen Fenton said introducing the hikes before a planned review of parking in York was irresponsible.
A Labour group spokesperson said Micklegate was different to other parts of the city due to the existence of the previous rates, and branded the Liberal Democrats’ calls politically motivated.
Cllr Ravilious told Tuesday’s decision session the council’s decision to approve the parking increases, along with the rest of the Budget, should be respected but officials would be authorised to make minor changes after hearing concerns.
After the meeting Cllr Ravilious said they were committed to reviewing the policies in three, six, nine and 12 months’ time.
The Labour executive member said: “We are holding meetings in the next two days to engage with traders and church communities who’re keen to discuss new parking charges, we want to listen to all views and take the opportunity to explain what the council is trying to achieve.
“It’s important we do review the changes but also important we wait for them to bed in before we analyse the data to assess the impact.
“I have also approved a decision to pause advertising Sunday morning parking charges until we have listened to church representatives this week.”
Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Cllr Mason said while he welcomed the pause, frustrations about the proposals remain.
Cllr Mason said: “It’s baffling that this has been pushed through ahead of scheduled discussions with businesses later this week, it’s a complete shambles.
“Traders, particularly those in areas like Micklegate, have made it abundantly clear that these increases will have a damaging impact on footfall and the local economy.
“We continue to support the Micklegate traders’ petition and share their frustration that these changes are being pushed through without proper consultation.”