York council’s £7m parking profit funds services, says transport boss

As The Press reported yesterday (Monday, October 23), new data shows the council made the profit from parking in one year.

• York council makes £7m profit from parking in a year - twice as much as Liverpool

The amount is more than double the sum Liverpool made in the same period and comes as business leaders in York call for a change to how parking is priced in the city.

Data released by the UK Government's Department of Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities details how much profit each local authority in England made from parking from the financial year April 2022 to March 2023 by combing the money made from parking charges and fines.

Reacting to the figure, the council’s executive member for transport and highways, Cllr Pete Kilbane, told The Press that the profit is used to support services in the city.

“Income earned through parking helps supports essential transport services, such as maintaining roads, subsidising bus services for residents, community transport and Shopmobility,” he said.

“Income generated from parking has increased over recent years as people continue to visit our city and make the most of the great range of independent businesses and services we have to offer.  

City of York Council's executive member for transport and highways, Cllr Pete Kilbane (Image: Supplied)

“Whilst visiting our city residents and visitors can be reassured that their parking helps contribute to delivering a range of services that benefit everyone across the city.”

Cllr Kilbane added that the council felt the high figure showed spending by those visiting York was stable.

“Those visitors prepared to pay to park centrally are also those likely to be spending money in the city centre, so while parking income holds up well, we’re confident city centre spend will too,” he said.