Fine may be cheaper than parking cost - councillor

Proposed hikes to charges at council-run car parks in York could make some stays more expensive than paying a fixed penalty notice, opposition councillors have said.

Under council budget proposals, it would cost drivers £25.50 for stays longer than six hours on Fridays, Saturdays and during events.

Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Hollyer said it meant it was more expensive for motorists to pay to park than to be charged the £25 for a fixed penalty notice paid within 14 days.

But Kate Ravilious, the Labour councillor responsible for transport, said: "Penalty charge notices remain in place to act as a disincentive to those who consider flouting the law, something we'd strongly discourage."

"It's shocking that it will now be cheaper to commit a parking offence and pay the fine instead of actually paying to use the city's car parks," Hollyer said.

"You couldn't make it up.

"Obviously we don't suggest taking this approach, but it does demonstrate the extent to which residents and visitors are being squeezed by this Labour council."

Hollyer also criticised the council for putting forward the price increases before a city-wide review of parking, which was scheduled to take place next year.

Ravilious said the fixed penalty notice cap in England had not increased in 25 years, which she said "explained why parking charge costs over longer stays are catching up" with the cost of a fine.

Council leader Claire Douglas said the council relied on money generated from parking in the city.

But she said the council would "keep an eye" on parking charges if the increases were approved to assess the impact.

"We will have to wait and see," she said.

"If there are significant changes to visitor numbers or the income to the city, we are going to have to look at the cost of parking."

Joanna Sambrook, who was visiting York to celebrate her husband's birthday, said the situation was similar near her home in Cheshire.

She said: "My husband mistakenly parked on double yellows near home and we realised it was cheaper [to pay the fine than paying for parking], but we're not temped to do it again.

"We play the game, pay our charges and don't stay too long deliberately.

"Parking is limited, so giving everyone a chance to park is only fair."

Charlie Manning was parking at Marygate car park before viewing a house he plans to move in to when he starts studying in York next year.

He said his budget as a student was tight, so he could understand why someone might be tempted to take the fine to save money.

But Mr Manning said the overall car park pricing structure - and next year's planned increases - might encourage him to use public transport instead.

"Luckily the house I'm looking at is just outside the city centre. I would probably get the bus in," he added.

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