Decision to scrap free car parking postponed

A council has failed to reach a decision on whether to scrap free car parking at sites it owns in East Yorkshire.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is proposing to introduce charges at 14 council-run locations including those in Cottingham, Anlaby, Goole, Hessle, Pocklington and Willerby.

At a full council meeting earlier, councillors decided to further scrutinise a report dealing with the issue at a later date, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Some people have voiced concerns over the potential loss of free parking in their area with one business owner in Cottingham having said it would “absolutely kill” her village.

A report, which was discussed on Wednesday, stated a review of the car parks took place in 2010, which meant “a much-needed update had been outstanding for some years.”

Following a series of meetings between October 2023 and June 2024, a review panel made a total of 16 recommendations to the authority regarding the management of car parks in the region.

One of those recommendations is to introduce parking charges in towns currently not subject to fees while keeping a 30-minute free period.

However, several councillors raised concerns over the idea.

Councillor Dale Needham described it as being a “quick fix for budget deficit while potentially decimating local trade”.

Councillor Kevin Casson, who had joined protestors outside Beverley County Hall before the meeting, said: “I’m here to voice these concerns on behalf of Cottingham.

“We have handed in over 6,500 signatures and we’ve had protestors outside this morning.”

Mr Casson, who represents Cottingham South, said introducing fees for parking “will have a detrimental effect on already struggling businesses” in the village.