Liberal Democrat Councillors Support Micklegate Parking Charges Petition

Liberal Democrat Councillors are backing a petition launched by residents and local businesses opposing significant increases in car parking charges on Micklegate.

The petition highlights the damaging impact of the new charges, calling on the Labour-run council to reverse its parking charge increases in the Micklegate area and urgently consult with affected local businesses and churches to find a way forward.

The issue has sparked a wave of anger among residents, business owners and church congregations who are concerned about the potential adverse impact of a trebling of the cost of an hour’s on-street parking and the abolition of free Sunday morning parking for churchgoers.

Liberal Democrat Councillors have received numerous complaints, including from worshippers who found notices on their vehicles on Sunday morning warning them that they would be fined next time if they failed to pay.

Local traders have also raised alarm over the lack of consultation. One Micklegate business – Cads barbers - shared the following message with customers:

“As of yesterday (11/04/25), the price of parking outside the shop has increased. Unfortunately we had no prior notification from the council so this was a surprise to us and something we find extremely frustrating as we know it will impact our business. Parking for 30 mins is now unavailable and the price for 1 hour is £5.50 and 2 hours is £10.95.”

Councillor Ashley Mason, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Economy, said:

“We’ve been contacted by a number of local businesses who are shocked by the lack of consultation. Their frustration is understandable especially at a time when many are also grappling with the impact of the Labour Government’s increase in National Insurance employer contributions.

“It is shameful that the Council has scrapped Sunday morning exemptions in an area with several active churches, with no prior notice or consultation. People should be able to attend religious services without the threat of fines. Religion or belief is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, so the Labour administration needs to urgently publish its full Equality Impact Assessment of the new charges.

“This situation could have been avoided if Labour had backed a Lib Dem budget amendment which would have made £340,000 available to reduce the impact of these changes in consultation with those most affected. They ignored us then, but we hope that they will listen to us now and reverse these on-street parking charge increases to allow for a proper review of the Council’s parking strategy and to enable the immediate release of the full Equality Impact Assessment. We need a fairer, more balanced approach to parking that supports our local economy.”