Lib Dems condemn parking charge ‘shambles’ as Labour performs U-turn
York’s Liberal Democrat councillors have condemned the Labour-run council’s shambolic implementation of massive parking charge increases which have caused anger and concern for local businesses and churches in the Micklegate area.
They have welcomed an apparent U-turn by Labour Transport boss Cllr Kate Ravilious, who has been forced to instruct parking enforcement officers not to enforce the new charges.
Earlier this week the price to park on Micklegate for an hour shot up from £1.20 to £5.50 on Friday and Saturdays and £4.85 the rest of the week. The longstanding free parking on Sunday mornings was abolished, which will hit worshippers at local churches such as Holy Trinity Micklegate and St Mary Bishophill Junior. A petition against the charges hike has been launched by local traders and has already attracted many signatures.
Then on 15th April York Council’s Labour Group issued a media release stating that “an anomaly has arisen in Micklegate, which previously had free parking for church goers on Sunday mornings and a half hour parking charge option at other times.” Transport Executive Member Cllr Kate Ravilious was quoted as saying “I’ve requested council officers do not enforce the changes in this area until we’ve further consulted in the coming days.”
However on the morning of Wednesday 16th April the parking signs on Micklegate were still visible, meaning that even if there is no enforcement, people will be unaware and so will continue to pay the exorbitant charge.
Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson Cllr Stephen Fenton has obtained a copy of the Equality Impact Assessment produced by the Labour administration in February, three days before Labour councillors voted through the parking charge increase. This document makes clear that the impact on local businesses and churches was known about in advance and that no mitigations were suggested to cushion the impact.
Page 5: “Priory Street and Micklegate – Impacts on people accessing the shops and businesses, including the Post Office, and on access to church (including for groups using the churches and associated buildings for other purposes, for example support to elderly people, parent/carer baby groups, etc).”
Page 15: “Religion and belief - Impacts on access to places of worship as some streets used to offer free parking on Sundays to support access to main religious services.”
Cllr Fenton has called on Cllr Ravilious to apologise to local businesses and churches for the failure to properly consult all those affected.
“The Labour administration’s handling of this situation has been a complete shambles. I’d like to thank the businesses and churchgoers who reached out to me and my colleagues and am pleased that we have been able to secure a temporary reprieve. Cllr Ravilious’ proposed discussions with businesses and churches should have happened months ago.
“But there remain many unanswered questions, for example why is Labour now describing this as an ‘anomaly’ when the impact of these changes was known about right from the start, as evidenced in the Equality Impact Assessment?
“There also seems to be differential treatment between Micklegate and other local shopping centres such as Bishopthorpe Road, where as of this morning ‘Free Parking’ was available. Why haven’t Micklegate traders been given the same benefit?
“Over the coming months the council will be consulting on some important schemes, such as bus priority measures on Ouse Bridge. The shambolic implementation of parking charge increases does not inspire confidence in their ability to successfully deliver more significant schemes.”