Parking fees could rise by 10% under plans

Charges will rise by 10% at car parks run by North Yorkshire Council, if plans are approved.

According to the authority, the increase could generate more than £3.5m a year.

Charges would be introduced where parking is currently free during evenings and on Sundays, while there would be higher costs for second residential permits.

However, blue badge parking would be made free in all 170 council-run car parks.

The changes are due to be discussed by the council's environment directorate on 27 February and, if approved, would come into force on 1 April, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

North Yorkshire Council said the changes would "rebalance" fees across the county in order to ensure fairness and consistency, with parking previously overseen by seven former borough and district councils.

Malcolm Taylor, executive member for highways and transport, said: "We have carefully reviewed the charges to ensure they deliver the best possible value while enabling the service to remain financially self-sustaining.

"In many cases, our rates are more affordable than privately managed car parks and are competitive with those set by neighbouring authorities."

The council said it was committing £2.4m to improve car parks, with 430 ticket machines due to be replaced and signs and lighting improved.

Opposition councillors have objected to the proposed changes.

Councillor Arnold Warneken, of the Green Party, said: "In many cases, if you significantly increase car parking charges, then it puts pressure on residential streets, as we have seen in places like Wetherby.

Stuart Parsons, leader of the North Yorkshire Independents, said: "If they're going to be rebalancing the fees, they should be doing so downwards not upwards.

"They're supposed to be encouraging people to visit our market towns, but this does the opposite."

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