Here’s How to Make Sure You Have Your Say About Car Parking Charges in Bishopthorpe Road, Heworth, Micklegate and The Groves

Right then, if you live in or around the Bishopthorpe Road, Heworth, Micklegate, or The Groves areas of York, there’s something important you need to know. The City of York Council is asking for your thoughts on something that affects day-to-day life for many residents and businesses – car parking charges. There’s a consultation happening, and it’s your chance to have a say.

Your chance to have a say on parking charges

So, imagine this: you’re nipping to the local shops or trying to park up near your home, and the cost of parking has gone up. That’s exactly what’s been on people's minds in Bishopthorpe Road, Heworth, Micklegate, and The Groves. This whole situation kicked off when some residents and businesses in these areas decided to challenge the council’s decision to increase the car parking charges for the council-owned car parks. It’s a bit of a big deal because it directly impacts how people get around and spend their money in these communities.

Now, the City of York Council has brought in Arup, a big name in independent reviews, to look into all of this. They’re basically doing an independent review to get a clear picture of the situation. But before Arup can finish their work and before the council makes any final decision, they want to hear from you. This consultation is your opportunity to voice your opinions on the parking charges in these specific areas. It’s all part of making sure that any decision made is a well-informed one, taking into account what people actually think and experience.

Councillor Kate Ravilious, who is the Executive Member for Transport, has pointed out that this consultation has been made available in several ways. Posters have gone up, and paper copies of the survey have been handed out at local shops, community spots, and libraries across Bishopthorpe, Clifton, Dringhouses, and Tang Hall. So, whether you prefer to fill things out online or on paper copies, there’s a way for you to get involved.

Don't miss the deadline!

It’s really important that if you’re affected by this, you make your voice heard. The consultation won't be around forever. The closing date for giving your views on the car parking charges is Friday 27 February 2026. That’s the final day for both the online survey and the completed paper copies to be submitted. So, if you’re a resident or run a business in Bishopthorpe Road, Heworth, Micklegate, or The Groves, make sure you don’t miss out on this chance to share your thoughts.

Councillor Ravilious added, “We’ve already had hundreds of responses from local people and businesses, but there is still time for people to have their say. If you are affected by this issue, make sure you take the opportunity to give your views on parking charges in Bishopthorpe Road, Heworth, Micklegate, and The Groves before the survey closes.”

How to take part

Getting involved is straightforward. You can contribute to the consultation by completing the online survey. The City of York Council has provided a link for this: responding to our online survey.

If you’re more of a pen-and-paper person, or if you find online forms a bit tricky, don’t worry. Paper copies of the survey are readily available. You can pick them up from York Explore, and also from libraries in Bishopthorpe, Clifton, Dringhouses, and Tang Hall. Plus, they’re available in many local shops and community centres dotted around these four areas. Once you’ve filled out your completed paper copies, you can simply hand them back in at any of these libraries. It’s all about making it as easy as possible for everyone to participate in this important consultation.

What happens next?

Once this consultation process is wrapped up, Arup will have completed their independent review. The City of York Council has said that they will then publish this independent review. They'll also let everyone know when the council plans to have considered the findings. The final outcome of this decision, whatever it may be, will be shared publicly on the council website. So, keep an eye on the council website for updates after Friday 27 February 2026.