Plans to scrap free parking rejected by council

Some businesses in Cottingham previously raised concerns about the end of free parking

Plans to scrap free parking at council car parks in the East Riding of Yorkshire have been voted down after councillors backed a new report.

The proposals to introduce charges at 14 locations in towns and villages were put on ice last autumn to allow for further consideration.

At the time, traders voiced concerns about the loss of free parking, with one business owner in Cottingham warning it would "absolutely kill" the village.

An earlier report had proposed introducing charges, but councillors voted in favour of removing that recommendation, along with a suggestion in the new report that any future decision about fees should only be made by "elected members".

Councillor Richard Meredith told a meeting of the full council last week "there is no stronger protection" to preventing new parking charges than having the power resting with councillors themselves.

"I don't think any of us are daft enough to be turkeys voting for Christmas," he added.

Councillors backed the report by 33 votes to 10.

However, Councillor David Jeffreys told the chamber the report would not alter the fact that some council car parks would retain charges, while others remained free.

This, he said, was "not fair".

Meredith said voting the report down would not solve such grievances, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service,

The MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, Emma Hardy, posted her support for the decision on social media.

She wrote: "Victory for East Riding residents and businesses - East Riding Council has listened to us and has voted against introducing car parking charges at council car parks. I'm proud to have supported local people in this campaign."

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