What the Car Parking Charge Consultation Extended and Expanded Means for York Residents and How to Have Your Say

Anyone who drives around York knows that finding a spot for your car can be a bit of a saga. And the cost of that spot? That’s a whole other story. It seems the City of York Council has been listening to the chatter, because a big conversation about local car parking charges is getting even bigger. What started as a review in a few areas has now been expanded, and everyone’s being given more time to chip in with their thoughts. This is all about making sure the system works for the people who actually use it, from residents nipping to the shops to the traders who rely on customer footfall.

A bit of a kerfuffle over car parks

So, what’s all the fuss about? It kicked off after a decision was made to increase the prices for local, council-owned car parking. For many residents and businesses in areas like Bishopthorpe Road, Micklegate, and The Groves, this wasn't just a small change. Think about the local traders, the independent businesses that make York special. Higher parking fees can mean fewer customers popping in, which is a massive deal for them. And for residents, it can make everything from the weekly shop to visiting family that little bit more expensive and stressful. The feeling was strong enough that people in these areas decided to act. They used an official process to challenge the new charges, which basically meant the council had to take a proper, second look.

The story doesn't end there. Following this, local traders and residents in the East Parade area of Heworth also raised their voices about the price hike. They weren’t happy, and they made it known. As a result, the review has now been expanded to include Heworth too, making it a city-wide point of discussion. This is a classic example of local communities making sure their concerns are heard. The initial consultation, which started on Monday 15 December 2025, was set to end on 1 February 2026, but now everyone has more time to get involved in this important local issue.

So, what's happening now?

Because of all this feedback, the City of York Council has officially extended the deadline for its car parking consultation. This isn’t just a quick questionnaire; it’s a proper, in-depth look at the situation. The new closing date for everyone to have their say is 27 February 2026. This gives people across all four areas—Bishopthorpe Road, Micklegate, The Groves, and now Heworth—plenty of time to share their experiences and opinions. The whole point of a consultation is to gather thoughts from the people most affected before any final decisions are locked in. It’s a way for the council to understand what’s really going on at street level, rather than just looking at spreadsheets. This local consultation is a crucial step in finding a fair solution for car parking charges.

Getting the experts involved

To make sure everything is fair and square, the council hasn't just decided to look into this themselves. They’ve brought in an outside company called Arup to run an independent review. Think of them as a neutral referee. Arup is a global firm of experts – including designers, engineers, and consultants – who know their stuff when it comes to city planning and transport. They were already conducting an independent review for the original three areas, and now their work will cover Heworth as well.

Having an independent review is really important. It means the findings won’t be biased. These consultants will look at all the facts, listen to what residents and businesses have to say through the surveys, and then give their professional opinion on the car parking situation. Arup’s team of designers and engineers will analyse the impact of the charges and provide recommendations. This process ensures that the final decision is based on a thorough and impartial assessment, which is exactly what the local community asked for. The involvement of these external consultants is key to the credibility of the entire consultation process.

A word from the council

It’s clear the council wants people to get stuck in and share their views. Councillor Kate Ravilious, the Executive Member for Transport, has been encouraging everyone to take part. Speaking on the matter, she highlighted the importance of community feedback.

This extended deadline gives residents and businesses more time to respond. Every effort is being made to publicise this review to local people with posters and paper copies of surveys being delivered to local shops, community venues and libraries. I would encourage everyone affected by this issue to respond to the consultation and have their say on parking charges in these areas.

This statement shows a real push to make the consultation accessible to everyone, not just those who are online. By putting up posters and distributing paper surveys, they're making sure nobody is left out of the conversation. It’s a big effort to reach all the different people and businesses affected.

How to have your say

Getting your opinion heard is pretty straightforward. The council and Arup have made sure there are a few different ways for people to fill out the surveys, so everyone can choose what works best for them. This is your chance to influence what happens with car parking in your local area.

• Online: The easiest way for many is to fill out the survey online. Just head over to the council's consultation page.

• On Paper: If you'd rather do things the old-fashioned way, you can grab a paper copy of the survey. They are also making easy-read versions available.

Paper copies can be found in lots of convenient places, including various libraries and local shops. You can pick one up at:

Library Location Other Locations York Explore Local shops across the four areas Bishopthorpe Community centres in the four areas Clifton Dringhouses Tang Hall

Once you’ve filled in your paper survey, you can simply hand it back in at any of these libraries. It’s as easy as that. This broad approach ensures all residents can participate in the car parking consultation.

What happens after the chat is over?

After the 27 February 2026 deadline, all the surveys and feedback will be collected and analysed. Arup will use this information to complete its independent review. This full report will then be published by the council for everyone to see. Transparency is key here, so people will be able to read the findings for themselves. The final outcome and any decisions made will be published on the council website. This process, from the initial challenge by residents and traders to the final independent review, is all about making sure local voices shape local policy, especially on an everyday issue like car parking.