City of York Council Labour Group
Immediate Release: 9th October 2024
Respark Zone close to city centre moves a step closer
A residential area blighted by commuter and visitor parking may have a solution in sight, after a leading councillor agreed to consult on introducing a ResPark scheme.
The area, close to the Barbican and Walmgate Bar, includes Wellington Street and Heslington Road and is within easy walking distance of the city centre. Visitors to events at the Barbican also currently use the area to park for free.
Fishergate Ward councillor Conrad Whitcroft has backed the decision to move to a formal consultation. He said:
“I’m pleased the Executive Member for Transport, Cllr Ravilious, has approved moving on to the next stage to gain residents’ views on the introduction of ResPark on and around Heslington Road. Parking for residents has been extremely difficult for many years, and this is the most obvious solution. We need to hear their views and I’d encourage everyone living in the area to take part.
“My recent council motion on ResPark highlighted the problem of gaining support for ResPark in areas with high concentrations of Homes in Multiple Occupation and predominantly student areas. These are potential factors for this consultation which I hope don’t become obstacles to gaining majority support for the proposal.
“As well as addressing parking problems impacting residents, Respark can deliver an additional benefit of removing areas of free parking close to the city centre, where people either don’t pay to park or avoid the excellent park and ride bus services available for visitors and commuters coming in and out of York.
“While this situation persists, we are facilitating avoidable congestion in our city. I know this is something the Executive Member for Transport is working on as part of a citywide review of parking, which I fully support”.
Cllr Whitcroft spoke at yesterday’s public Decision Session meeting to give his support to going out to public consultation on the proposed Respark scheme, which falls within his ward.
-ENDS-
Cllr Conrad Whitcroft – Fishergate ward
Tel: 07746 699949
Notes to Editors:
Decision proposal at item 4: Agenda for Decision Session – Executive Member for Transport on Tuesday, 8 October 2024, 10.00 am (york.gov.uk)