Call to cut parking charges during station project

Community leaders in Selby have called on North Yorkshire Council to reduce parking charges during upgrade work around the town's railway station.

Keir Mather, Labour MP for Selby and Kippax, along with Labour councillors Steve Shaw-Wright, Melanie Davis and Jack Proud, have sent a joint letter raising their concerns.

The letter to Councillor Malcolm Taylor, executive member for highways, warned that temporary loss of parking during the Selby Station Gateway project would create difficulties for commuters and people with limited mobility.

The work will see the Lower APCOA Social Club car park remain shut until at least winter 2026, and the permanent closure of the business centre car park.

North Yorkshire Council has directed motorists to use Back Micklegate Car Park, where long-stay parking is available from £4.40 a day, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Alternatives suggested by the local leaders include use of Portholme Road and Selby Park car parks, asking the authority to consider introducing a reduced parking tariff from the usual £8 a day for the duration of the works.

The group argued the town's parking facilities already generated sufficient income to allow for a temporary reduction in charges.

In the letter, the MP and councillors said: "Back Micklegate is not an option for some drivers with limited mobility.

"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.

"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 also proposed that any discounted rates could be limited to rail commuters, reducing the impact on the council while helping workers travel "promptly and affordably" while construction is ongoing.

Taylor confirmed he had received the letter and the council would consider the group's arguments before responding.

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