Plans to cut parking fees not enough - councillors

Plans to cut parking charges in York do not go far enough to reverse the effects of previous hikes, councillors and traders have claimed.

The city's council has proposed reducing the cost of residents' parking permits by a third, while discounts in community areas would increase to 50%.

If councillors approve the planned changes to Minster Badge discounts on Wednesday, permits would cost £15 annually, rather than £45 for two years. The Mister Badge gives residents discounts on parking in council car parks and on-street parking bays.

Ruth Phillips, co-owner of Bishopthorpe Road's Good Food Shop, said the cuts would not provide enough support to people struggling amid difficult economic times.

Representing the Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association, Phillips said calls for low-cost, short-stay parking had been ignored.

"A reduced-price Minster Badge doesn't go far enough," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Fees across council-run car parks rose in 2025 as part of council efforts to cut car journeys in York by a fifth by 2030.

But the move provoked a backlash from residents, traders and opposition councillors and charges were later lowered at the Bishopthorpe Road car park and for on-street parking in Micklegate.

Under the new plans, discounts for the Bishopthorpe Road, East Parade and Rowntree Park car parks and on-street spaces, including in Micklegate and The Groves, would rise from 30% to 50%.

Reduced rates for Minster Badge holders would not apply in city centre car parks run by the council.

Liberal Democrat opposition economy spokesperson Ashley Mason and Conservative councillor Mike Nicholls said the Labour administration should have brought in cheaper half-hour tariffs.

But Kate Ravilious, Labour transport spokesperson, said short-stay parking offers would "clog up" York, after last year's hikes had begun to get people out of their cars.

"Introducing free or 30 minutes parking rates would encourage more short trips and clog the city up even more than it already is, and significantly worsen bus service reliability, so we've ruled this out.

"The increase in parking charges has already changed travel habits, with a sizeable increase in walking, cycling and bus use over the last year, all against the backdrop of challenging economic conditions and low consumer confidence," she said.

Mason said the evidence was clear that parking charges were too high.

"Instead of wasting money proving the problem exists, Labour should have put it towards making the first 30 minutes of parking cheaper and helping local businesses," he said.

"The proposed Minster Badge discount is welcome, but for many it is too little, too late."

Nicholls said previous hikes had unfairly hit people on lower incomes hardest.

"The refusal to look again at having some free half-hour slots is a mistake and misunderstands the nature of shopping," he said.

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