Parking charges frozen for further year - Low emission vehicles to get big discounts

City of York Liberal Democrat Councillors have today (24th Jan) announced the details of their parking proposals for 2006/07.

Cllr. Ann Reid (Executive Member for Planning and Transport) said "I am delighted to be able to announce that charges in all off street car parks and at on street parking meters will be frozen for the coming year. This is the second successive year where drivers will benefit from a cost reduction in real terms.

"In addition, some key prices will be reduced and some new initiatives introduced".

· Parking at the Foss Bank car park is to be reduced to a standard rate of 70p per hour for all users. It is hoped that this will encourage customers to use this car park which is slightly further out of town, rather than driving right into the city centre.

· The maximum period that motorists can leave their vehicles at short-stay car parks (Castle, Piccadilly and Bootham Row) will increase from three to five hours. This will offer greater choice to customers who wish to use these locations (There are no maximum stay limits at any cars parks in the evening).

· The Lib Dems propose to introduce a weekly pass for those who pay to park using mobile phones. This will enable residents and visitors to park for a whole week for £40, a significant saving on daily rates.

· The monthly parking pass will reduce from £165 to £100, and the annual pass from £1,944 to just £995.

· The 50% reduction in the price of Evening Frequent User, ResPark and Season passes, currently available for short vehicles, will be extended to include low emission vehicles in vehicle excise duty Bands A and B (as defined by the DVLA - see Annex B for more details on which cars are included).

· There will be no increase to the charges for Dial and Ride. The flexible service has recently been increased to cover far more of the city, and continues to grow.

· The charges for ResPark passes will increase only in line with inflation (2.4%) although drivers of low emission vehicles will receive a 50% reduction for the first time.

· Pensioners who choose not to have a bus pass or transport tokens will be able use their entitlement to buy a parking pass.

Commenting on the proposals Cllr Reid said "I am particularly pleased that, in line with Lib Dem priorities, we are able to extend the 50% discount to low emission vehicles in Bands A and B. Those drivers who buy ResPark permits, monthly or yearly season tickets or the Evening Frequent User Pass will enjoy this 50% reduction in costs. Cars registered in Band B include some models of Peugeot 107, Smart car, Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Aygo and Suzuki Alto.

"As promised, we are comprehensively reviewing all parking activity and these measures result from this ongoing work.

"We have listened to residents and the business community and responded in a positive way. By providing one car park where charges are considerably reduced we will further extend choice for motorists - charges for the more convenient City Centre car parks are greater than those further away.

"We have also honoured our pledge to reward those who drive lower emission vehicles by halving the cost of parking, and the list of eligible vehicles now includes small family cars.

"We have been greatly encouraged by the upturn in the numbers visiting the City centre during December and hope that these measures will help to support the general improvements recently seen in the retail economy," Cllr Reid concluded.

The Leader of the Council Steve Galloway has informally consulted representatives of City Centre traders who have welcomed the proposals.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Discount vehicle rate means a vehicle 2.7m or less in length OR a low emission vehicle within the DVLA defined BAND A or B (see http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/taxation.htm)

Annex - Examples of low emission petrol vehicles (Band B)

TOYOTA

Aygo

1.0 VVT-i 3 & 5-door Multi5 Petrol 109 IV

1.0 VVT-i 3 & 5-door M5 Petrol 109 IV

PEUGEOT

107

1.0 (65 bhp) M5 Petrol 109 IV

1.0 (65 bhp) A5 Petrol 109 IV

CITROEN

C1

1.0i M5 Petrol 109 IV

smart

fortwo coupé

50 bhp 175 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 113 IV

61 bhp 175 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 113 IV

fortwo cabrio

61 bhp 175 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 113 IV

DAIHATSU

Charade

L251 1.0L EFi M5 Petrol 114 IV

VAUXHALL

Corsa MY2006

1.0i 12v ECO 3 Door Hatchback ET5 Petrol 115 IV

VAUXHALL

Corsa, MY2004

1.0 Eco 3 Door Hatchback From VIN: W0L0XCF0844109917 MTA Petrol 115 IV .

1.0 Eco 5 Door Hatchback From VIN: W0L0XCF6844109916 MTA Petrol 115 IV

Corsa, MY2005

1.0i 12v ECO 3+5 Door Hatch MTA Petrol 115 IV

HONDA

Civic 4 Door

IMA Executive 5MT Petrol Electric 116 IV

smart

roadster

61 bhp (205 tyres) A6 Petrol 116 IV

fortwo cabrio

61 bhp 175 rear tyres A6 Petrol 116 IV

fortwo coupé

61 bhp 175 rear tyres A6 Petrol 116 IV

50 bhp 175 rear tyres A6 Petrol 116 IV

50 bhp 195 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 118 IV

61 bhp 195 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 118 IV

smart

fortwo cabrio

61 bhp 195 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 118 IV

DAIHATSU

Sirion

M300 1.0L EFi M5 Petrol 118 IV

smart

roadster

61 bhp (225 tyres) A6 Petrol 119 IV

KIA

Picanto

1.1 SE M5 Petrol 119 III

SUZUKI

Alto

1.1 GL/GLS 5-door From VIN MA3FFB21S00144416 5MT Petrol 119 III

smart

fortwo cabrio

61 bhp 225 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 120 IV

fortwo coupé

61 bhp 225 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 120 IV

50 bhp 225 rear tyres SM6 Petrol 120 IV