Damning Parking Report Vindicates Liberal Democrat Warnings Over Labour's Parking Charge Hikes

York Liberal Democrats have said an independent report into Labour's parking charge increases is a damning verdict on the way the policy was imposed and vindicates concerns raised by residents, businesses and Liberal Democrat councillors from the very beginning.

The independent consultation, carried out by Arup on behalf of City of York Council, found widespread concern about the impact of the increases on local businesses and communities.

According to the report:

•         67% of businesses in Heworth reported fewer customers and lower spending as a result of the parking charge increases.

•         56% of businesses across the consultation area reported fewer customers and lower spending.

•         78% of residents and visitors said their visits had decreased since the charges were increased.

•         81% of respondents travel to these local centres by car.

•         The most common response from both businesses and residents was a call for cheaper parking.

The report also found that while the Council had followed the technical process required, introducing increases of up to 500% without consultation "did not represent best practice".

Liberal Democrats say the findings confirm what they have been hearing from residents and traders for more than a year.

The Liberal Democrats also highlighted that the report recommends exploring measures such as free or reduced-cost short-stay parking and first-hour discounts to support local shopping areas.

At the Council’s 2026/27 Budget Meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillors proposed spending £300,000 on reducing parking charges for the first 30 minutes in local shopping areas to make it easier for residents to pop to local shops, support local businesses and access services without paying for longer stays.

Cllr Ashley Mason, York Liberal Democrat Economy Spokesperson said:

"Labour had the chance to back our proposal for lower charges for the first 30 minutes but chose not to.

"This report makes clear that targeted short-stay parking discounts are exactly the kind of measure the Council should be considering.

"York deserves a Council that listens to residents, works with businesses and takes people with it when making decisions, rather than Labour’s command and control approach.

"Instead of imposing huge increases and only consulting afterwards, the Council should now accept the findings of this report, learn the lessons and work with local communities to develop a fairer approach."

Cllr Stephen Fenton, York Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson added:

"This report is a damning verdict on Labour's disastrous handling of parking charges and completely vindicates what Liberal Democrats have been saying all along.

"We have spent months speaking to residents, traders and community groups who told us these huge increases were hurting local shopping areas and making it harder for people to support local businesses.

"Labour repeatedly dismissed those concerns, but this independent report shows they were right.

"Perhaps most tellingly, the report contains no evidence that the parking charge increases have achieved the modal shift Labour claimed they would deliver. Instead, it shows people are visiting these local centres less often, parking elsewhere and changing where they travel to."