Labour's Parking Hikes Price Residents Out of York as Footfall Drops

Official figures have revealed a 30,000 person drop in City Centre footfall from May 2024 to May 2025 and a 15% drop in usage of City of York Council car parks, following the Labour council’s controversial hike in parking charges. This has prompted concern from Liberal Democrat councillors about the impact on residents and local businesses. 

Lib Dem councillors have warned that the botched implementation of Labour’s parking charge increase is piling pressure on independent traders, with alternatives to private car use, such as improved public transport and better walking, wheeling and cycling routes, yet to be delivered. 

Cllr Stephen Fenton, York Lib Dem spokesperson for Transport, said:

“These figures show exactly what we feared, York residents are being pushed out of their own city. Whilst the council’s income from parking charges is going up to record levels, there is no sign of it being invested in alternative modes of transport such as buses and safe cycling infrastructure which currently don’t exist for many people. 

“For many independent businesses this drop in footfall could be the difference between keeping their doors open or not, as shoppers opt for out of town stores. We urgently need to see the return of a much cheaper 30-minute parking rate to support residents who want to support local shops, especially at a time when businesses are already struggling with the Labour Government’s National Insurance hike.

“Labour’s Local Transport Strategy implementation plan promised a bus network review and a proper review of city centre parking provision. The administration needs to get on with this work as a matter of urgency and involve residents and businesses as it does so.”