Traders in Knaresborough look set to escalate their battle with North Yorkshire Council over electric vehicle parking.
Last night’s Knaresborough and District Chamber meeting discussed the possibility of legal action because of concerns about the legitimacy of the consultation as well as the impact on businesses.
It also heard a petition calling for change had passed the 500-signature threshold, which means it will be discussed by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee.
The Liberal Democrat-controlled committee is an advisory body to the council so it cannot change laws but it can put pressure on the council’s Conservative leadership.
Ten electric vehicle charging bays were installed in Chapel Street Car Park shortly before Christmas last year.
Hairdresser Kelly Teggin told the meeting businesses were fed-up at the sight of seeing most of the bays empty while petrol and diesel cars struggled to park, particularly at weekends and on Wednesday market day.
Her petition, which has been displayed by several businesses in town, calls for some of the bays to be made available to all vehicles until demand for electric vehicle charging catches up with supply.
Kelly Teggin and Steve Teggin at the launch of the petition.
Ms Teggin said:
“These bays are still not being used. They are still empty and the town is suffering. Everyone is absolutely fuming. Businesses have had enough and are talking about legal action.
“Something needs to be done now, not in six months time.”
Councillor Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West, agreed the situation was inadequate and supported calls for a meeting between local business and residents and council to resolve matters.
Cllr Walker added he understood the council had signed a seven-year contract with a company to provide electric vehicle charging bays in North Yorkshire and was reluctant to change anything through fear of being in breach of contract.
He also said he had also been told there was no date yet for activating the eight electric vehicle charging bays at Conyngham Hall.
Read more:
- Five traffic lights stolen at roadworks in Knaresborough
- Man rescued from public toilets in Knaresborough
Those bays remain coned off to all vehicles, meaning most of Knaresborough’s 18 electric vehicle charging bays are frequently empty.
This is costing the council parking revenue and driving away shoppers in a notoriously difficult town for parking, said Ms Teggin.
Chamber members said they had been unable to ascertain from the council whether petrol or diesel cars would receive parking tickets for parking in the empty electric vehicle charging bays or even whether electric vehicles that weren’t charging were entitled to park there.
There are no signs in the car park explaining the situation.
Some members even floated the idea of leaving their cars in the charging bays as a test case to see if they received a ticket.
Ms Teggin said:
“The whole idea of this is to stop pollution yet people are driving round and round Knaresborough to park and then leaving. It’s insane.”
