‘Too Little, Too Late’ - Lib Dems Slam Labour’s Parking Charge Fiasco

York’s Liberal Democrat councillors have hit out at the Labour administration’s latest changes to car parking charges in York, describing them as “too little, too late.” They have accused Labour of acting without a coherent plan, ignoring the legitimate needs of residents and businesses, and creating an inconsistent and unfair system of charges.

In their alternative council budget for 2025/26 the Lib Dems set aside £340,000 to help cushion the impact of a move to new parking charges and to make sure that the system was fair. Labour’s hurriedly put-together changes amount to £115,000 of support - three times less than the Lib Dem proposal which could have been used for measures such as the reintroduction a cheaper 30-minute parking rate. 

Lib Dem Transport spokesperson, Cllr Stephen Fenton, has warned that the parking charges fiasco could undermine confidence in wider transport goals for the city which enjoy broad cross-party support and he has repeated calls for a proper joined-up parking strategy. Lib Dem Economy spokesperson Cllr Ashley Mason has criticised the Labour administration’s refusal to consider the reinstatement of a lower fee for a 30-minute stay. 

Cllr Fenton said:

“This is not how a council should deliver a parking strategy. The Local Transport Strategy’s implementation plan includes a commitment to “develop a consistent and equitable strategy for parking across the city.” This work needs to be done first, to inform a charging strategy, not the other way round. Instead, we’re being served another round of ad hoc and inconsistent tweaks that will leave residents and businesses confused and worse off.”

Cllr Mason said: 

“Labour claims to have listened but they seem unwilling to make meaningful changes which address the real-world impact that some of these changes are having on small businesses. If the Lib Dem budget amendment had been supported, the administration could have gone much further, for example by reintroducing the lower first 30-minute rate which traders have told us would be a big help. If Labour genuinely wants to encourage sustainable travel, we need a coherent city-wide plan and not an administration that makes it up as it goes along, with no regard for fairness or consistency.”

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Labour to urgently undertake the promised review of parking across York to deliver a fair and balanced system which supports the city’s transport, economic and environmental objectives.