A York business leader says council budget proposals could send the city into a recession.
We reported yesterday that the council had put forward a plan to increase parking charges at peak times.
Phil Pinder, chair of York High Street Forum, believes these plans amount to a 50% hike in some car park fees and would drive both locals and visitors out of the city.
Under the proposals being considered by the council, parking in council car parks could be increased to £4.85 an hour for the first two hours of parking on Saturdays and during events such as the Christmas Market .
Hourly fees would then drop to £4.10 following the third hour.
The council’s proposals aim to close a £30m budget gap forecast over the next three years, with car parking proposals set to raise an estimated £1m per year.
Phil told YorkMix that these plans were a “war on motorists and local businesses”, and believes the parking prices will discourage anyone from coming into the city centre.
He said: “Who the hell can afford to stay and park for three hours at nearly £15, when currently you can do that for about £7-£9, it’s absolutely bonkers.”
With parking fees at an all time high, Phil states that those who would have visited city centre shops will be forced to go elsewhere.
“The council are doing this to stop people coming in but it doesn’t stop people from making a car journey, it just stops them coming into York.
“It pushes people to places like the Designer Outlet, which we know is already at a bursting point at busy times. It’s going to send more people to places like that and Monks Cross.”
He states that businesses in the city need to stand up against these measures, and reminded the council that the Retail Forum (now York High Street Forum) fought against the previous Labour administration in York.
In 2013, a trial saw Lendal Bridge closed to traffic, in order to reduce congestion in the city centre and improve traffic flow.
Phil said: “People coming to York drove over the bridge that they drove over for years, and they got a fine of around £100.
“They dished out something like 20,000 fines. People stopped coming to York and we saw a huge drop in trade.”
After the legality of the restrictions were questioned, the trial was concluded and drivers were offered a refund.
Just like in 2013, “we’ll fight them all the way on this,” Phil said.
“I think the proposals clearly show a sign that none of the political parties want to work in the interests of York, and I think they’re all forcing us down a route where we’re going to have to set up a political party that stands against these people.
“These people don’t have the interests of York at hand and the businesses in York. So I think the business leaders of York need to step up, I think that’s the message they’re giving us.”
Councillor Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, responded to Phil’s comments, stating:
“We welcome all views on the council’s budget proposals before the Executive recommends approval of the 25-26 budget in late January.
“We have considered a range of options but have given greater focus this year to options around income generation, in order to minimise cuts to services we know our residents value.
“This seeks to rebalance the impact of changes so York residents, who we put first in our considerations, shoulder less of the impact of budget changes than they have in previous years.
“But the proposals are just that, proposals, and residents and businesses have plenty of time to feed in their thoughts before the current budget consultation closes on 1st January.”