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11
Aug
Parking discs could be abolished and tariffs increased in review
Parking discs could be abolished and tariffs increased as part of an overhaul of countywide parking.
North Yorkshire Council announced plans today (August 11) to adopt a new set of ‘parking principles’.
As part of this, tariffs will be reviewed this year and then kept "under review on an annual basis", according to a report to the council’s ruling Conservative executive.
The report says the use of maximum stays could be replaced in some car parks by escalating tariffs. It adds: “While this may mean that the most popular and valuable parking locations become more expensive, alternative lower cost options will be available for those on a budget.”
And it says the “use of disc clocks, and potential alternatives, will be reviewed”, adding:
“Although they are a straightforward means of indicating time-of-arrival, first-time users need to obtain one and they provide no management data or revenue. Over time they may be replaced by conventional length-of-stay limits or payment machines.”
Scratchcard visitor parking permits could also be axed in favour of “a digital alternative that could minimise abuse”.
The council, which inherited different parking systems from eight borough councils when it succeeded them two years ago, also plans to introduce a single mobile parking app for the whole of North Yorkshire. Changes to the Blue Badge system are also on the table.
Councillor Malcolm Taylor, the executive member for highways, hailed the move as “a major step forward in creating a modern, responsive parking system”.
He added:
These principles are not just about where people park, they are about how we support our town centres, reduce congestion, improve air quality, and make our communities more accessible and attractive.
It’s about fairness, sustainability, and delivering a service that reflects the diversity of our county, from busy urban centres to rural villages.
The council, which is also considering providing parking management and parking enforcement on behalf of third-party car park owners, is expected to draw up localised town parking strategies next year.
The executive members will be asked to agree new parking principles at a meeting on Tuesday, August 19.
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