Community leaders in Selby have called on North Yorkshire Council to reduce parking charges during work on public areas near the town’s railway station.
Selby’s MP and three councillors say the temporary loss of parking as part of the Selby Station Gateway project is creating difficulties for commuters and those with limited mobility.
Keir Mather, Labour MP for Selby and Kippax, along with Labour councillors on North Yorkshire Council, Steve Shaw-Wright, Melanie Davis and Jack Proud, have sent a joint letter to the authority’s executive member for highways, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, raising their concerns.
The letter highlights the closure of the Lower APCOA Social Club car park until at least the winter and the permanent closure of the business centre car park.
While North Yorkshire Council has directed motorists to use Back Micklegate Car Park, where long-stay parking is available from £4.40 a day, the politicians argue that the alternative is unsuitable for some people with limited mobility.
They point instead to the Portholme Road and Selby Park car parks, which are closer to the railway station but charge £8 for a day’s parking.
In the letter, they write: “Back Micklegate is not an option for some drivers with limited mobility.”
They add that the higher parking charge “adds a considerable cost to the commute for those who are already paying to use the train to commute to work.”
The group has asked whether the authority has considered introducing a temporary reduced parking tariff at the two alternative car parks for the duration of the works.
While acknowledging such a move would come at a cost, they argue that Selby’s parking facilities already generate sufficient income.
“It is our understanding that car parking facilities in Selby town more than pay for themselves already, and we believe that a lowered parking charge would be appropriate given the disruption associated with these works,” the letter states.
The representatives suggest any discounted rate could even be limited to rail commuters and say it would help workers travel “promptly and affordably” while construction is ongoing.
In response, Cllr Taylor confirmed he had received the letter and the council would consider their representations and respond to them.
