York car park to introduce numberplate recognition technology

A city centre car park in York is set to get a makeover – with a new numberplate recognition camera to make it easier for people to pay.

A planning application has been submitted for Peel Street Car Park next to St George’s Roman Catholic Church, near Walmgate, with proposals including the installation of an four new CCTV cameras, an electric charging point and new signs and pay machines.

The 78-space car park was operated by the council until 2013 and is now run by Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions.

Planning documents say:

• The automatic numberplate recognition camera is required for the enforcement of the terms and conditions of the car park and to enable the introduction of Hozah, a new payment system which enables pre-registered customers to use the facility without purchasing a ticket from the pay and display machine.

Increase security

The new CCTV cameras will help increase security and to deter or prevent anti social behaviour and petty crime, according to the planning documents.

While getting rid of some of the existing signs will remove “unnecessary clutter”.

An electric vehicle charger capable of charging two cars at a time would also be installed near the corner of the car park between Peel Street and George Street.

The planning application does not say if parking charges would be increased. When the car park was taken over from council ownership in 2013, the free parking on evenings and Sundays was scrapped.

A statement says the site is near several listed buildings which date back to the mid-19th century, including the church and a number of houses on George Street, adding:

• It is considered that the public and economic benefits of the car park in terms of enhanced security, accessibility and visitor spending would outweigh the limited impact of the signs and equipment on the listed building and conservation area.