Price of parking in the Moors could be set to rise

PARKING CHARGES for both visitors and residents in the North York Moors look set to be increased for the first time since 2012.
Raising the cost of parking up in the North York Moors National Park will be considered by members of the North York Moors National Park Authority on Monday, December 14.Raising the cost of parking up in the North York Moors National Park will be considered by members of the North York Moors National Park Authority on Monday, December 14.
Raising the cost of parking up in the North York Moors National Park will be considered by members of the North York Moors National Park Authority on Monday, December 14.

Park management officers recommend that short stay fees increase from £2.20 to £2.50, long stay fees rise from £4 to £4.50 and resident permits go up from £10 to either £15 or £20 next year.

Annual residential parking permits have been “hugely under-priced when compared with those offered by others”, their report to members of the North York Moors National Park Authority says.

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It states: “The proposal is a light touch review of tariffs which have remained unaltered since 2012 and so is considered reasonable given the Authority’s continuing re-investment in access facilities despite facing increasing costs.”

Current parking fees are well adrift of inflation, officers said.

“The Retail Price Index has increased by approximately 10 per cent over the last four years (since the last adjustment of car park charges) and is likely to have increased by a further two per cent prior to any fee changes being implemented. Given these factors a modest increase in car park tariffs now seems both necessary and justifiable.”

Officers also highlight how the Authority has delivered an “extensive annual programme of maintenance and improvement of car parks and toilets” despite shrinking budgets and reduced staffing; the result of years of austerity cuts to the Park’s government grant.

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Should the charges increase as proposed from the start of March next year, the Authority can expect an estimated 15 per cent increase in large car park income and 19 per cent more revenue from permit sales.

Total gross income for 2016/17 from parking activities in the Park is predicted to be around £480,000 if the proposals are adopted.

The report will be considered by members next Monday.