Alarm grows at plans to hike parking charges in Hull

Traders are alarmed by proposals to increase charges for on-street parking by 10 per cent from January at a time when shops are struggling.

Hull-based members of the Federation of Small Businesses say charges need to be lowered, not raised, and are trying to put pressure on the council with an online petition, which they are urging people to sign. They believe on-street parking should be free in the city centre on Sundays all year, not just in November and December as the council proposes.

East Yorkshire federation spokesman Mike Bisby said: “The majority of businesses in Hull city centre are expecting a major fall-off in trade when the parking charges are increased and sense that the shoppers who use their services are fully in agreement.

“We are asking that if shoppers care about the future of trade in the city centre they should sign the petition and encourage others to do likewise.”

From January, on-street parking will cost £1.45 per hour, a rise of 15p, while two hours in a short stay car park will be increased from £1.60 to £1.80.

TaxPayers’ Alliance coordinator Andrew Allison said: “We want to encourage as many people to come to Hull to shop, eat and drink. Anything that makes this more expensive pushes trade away from the city centre to places like Kingswood Retail Park and to other towns.”

But Coun Martin Mancey said the increases were needed to help deliver services in the face of council budget cuts of £48 million.

He added: “Notwithstanding this, I believe that our parking costs represent good value for money and compare favourably with our neighbours. The proposed free Sunday parking in November and December is a move which I hope will encourage and provide opportunities for shoppers and businesses alike.”

People can sign the petition at www.petitiononline.com/Hullpc/petition.html.