York visitors' views on £20 a day car parking fee

Car parking fees are set to rise from £18 to £20 a day in York's council-run car parks

Plans to charge £20 a day to park in York's council-run car parks have been described as "extortionate” by some people in the city.

City of York Council is proposing to increase the fee as part of plans to cut £14m from its budget for 2024 -25.

The plan has already been backed by senior councillors, with final approval expected to be given at a full council meeting on 22 February.

Ahead of the meeting, the BBC spoke to people using the city's Marygate car park to find out how the change would impact them.

'Discourages tourists'

John and Gill Holman come into York to walk along the river

John and Gill Holman, from Haxby on the outskirts of the city, said they usually park in the city to enjoy a walk along the river.

"It's extortionate," Mrs Holman said of the planned increase.

"We certainly wouldn't park in York anymore."

Mr Holman, who gives walking tours around the city, said he was worried it could hit his industry hard.

"If [the rise] is for tourists, it will discourage the tourism on which York depends," he said.

"If it's for residents that hardly seems fair."

'Illegal parking' risk

Jordan Holmes and Melissa Houghton fear the rise will stop people coming to York

Jordan Holmes and Melissa Houghton travelled to York from North Wales for a city break.

"It's expensive as it is," said Mr Holmes, who is originally from Wakefield.

"If you make it £20 a day, it's going to stop tourists coming in."

The couple said they had paid £30 to park overnight.

“It would probably make me think about where to park," added Mr Holmes.

"You might have a lot more people parking illegally on the side of the road to try to stop paying.

"It’s just going to make it dangerous.”

'Horrendous' rise

June Scatchard saves money by buying an annual parking pass

June Scatchard, from Haxby, said she regularly comes into the city centre with her hearing dog, Pasha.

She said the increased fee was "horrendous".

"When you go to other places that are similar to York it makes York look even worse," she said.

"I think it will just put people off.

"Maybe it will put more people on the buses, then they have got to put more buses on."

Ms Scatchard said she buys an annual resident's pass to keep parking costs down and admits the increase would not put her off visiting.

"It's easier for me to come in the car," she said.

"Particularly when I'm bringing the hearing dog."

'Get the bus'

Barbara Leeming, Barbara Horn and David Shepley plan to get the bus in future

Barbara Leeming, Barbara Horn and David Shepley are a group of friends from America.

The trio said they were staying in Sheriff Hutton while visiting friends and family in North Yorkshire.

They said they wanted to come to the city centre to visit the Minster, but were not very impressed with the plans to up parking prices.

"They should just keep the charge at £18," Ms Leeming said.

The friends agreed that they would try to find somewhere else to park or "get the bus instead".

The council's view

The council said money raised would fund other services for residents

Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of City of York Council, said despite rises in recent years demand had remained high as people continued to "visit our unique city".

“Income earned through parking helps supports essential transport services, such as maintaining roads, subsidising bus services for residents, community transport and Shopmobility.

“In the long term our Local Transport Plan will ensure that we maintain the right balance of parking, public transport and active travel that enables York to thrive.”

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