1 week Ago
City of York Council has introduced the new fees at the Bishopthorpe Road car park. The council’s transport boss said the price increase was introduced to create “consistent pricing across the city”. But Joe Nasson, co-owner of the Bishy Weigh in Bishopthorpe Road, told The Press the new fees could stop people from visiting the street.
“Given that independent businesses are not making huge profit margins, it could be disastrous,” he said. The new prices at the Bishopthorpe Road car park (Image: Dylan Connell) The changes mean it now costs £4.85 to park for an hour, rising to £5.
30 on Fridays and Saturdays – up from 80p. Parking for one to two hours now costs £9.70 and £10.
60 on Fridays and Saturdays – up from £1.60. A two to three hour stay in the car park now costs £11.
20 and £13.50 on Fridays and Saturdays – up from £4.50.
And parking after 6pm, which was previously free, now costs £4. Joe Nasson (Image: Joe Nasson and Dylan Connell) Mr Nasson created a petition calling for the new prices to be scrapped, which has more than 3,700 signatures. The business owner, from Bishopthorpe, said he and other retailers in the street were told that the prices would be increased last week.
Recommended reading: He said fellow traders in Bishopthorpe Road were “shocked” by the parking price increases but added: “We don’t disagree to gradual [parking] increases over time. “We recognise that the council needs cash desperately but increases need to be sustainable. “It’s not that we don’t want charges to go up, it’s that we don’t want them to go up so quickly.
” The Bishopthorpe Road car park (Image: Dylan Connell) One comment on Mr Nasson’s petition by a Pocklington resident said the new parking prices would stop them from visiting Bishopthorpe Road. “We love the shops and restaurants around Bishy Road and had planned to keep using them,” the comment said. “With the new price hike that simply won’t be the case, a nice meal for two is an additional £10 now so out prices all the shops in Bishy Road for us, and I suspect many other people.
” Cllr Kate Kate Ravilious, the council’s executive member for transport, said: “Bishopthorpe Road car park previously had the lowest parking charges in or close to the city centre, over three times lower than the nearby Nunnery Lane car park. “The very low 80p an hour charge attracted drivers to park there, adding to traffic congestion and impacting reliability of the No. 11 bus service, which local residents have told us they want to see improve.
“Our new parking charge structure has created consistent pricing across the city. “This has resulted in some significant price increases in areas that were previously charging anomalously low prices. “We have excellent park and ride alternative options, while parking is capped at a fixed, low single charge for resident Minster Badge holders for the whole evening.
Cllr Kate Kate Ravilious, City of York Council’s executive member for transport (Image: Supplied) “We have also increased the Minster Badge discount for daytime parking to temper the increase in parking charges for local people. “We are listening to residents and businesses in these local neighbourhoods and will continue to review our pricing to ensure we achieve the right balance in reducing congestion and improving bus services, while still supporting local traders.” Bishopthorpe Road (Image: Dylan Connell) A City of York Council spokesperson said it is "aware of the concerns of residents and businesses in the area".
"We are listening and are monitoring the impact of these parking changes.” They added: "Following extensive consultation on the budget, in January 2025 the executive recommended changes to a wide range of parking charges. "The proposals were then approved as part of the budget setting process at full council in February.
“This forms part of the local transport strategy which seeks to make York a healthier, more sustainable and better-connected city. "This includes a pricing structure which aims to cut congestion in the city centre and improve bus service reliability and other ways to travel around the city.".
