Hull city centre parking charge rise sparks petition
A petition has been started by traders in Hull who are angry about a decision to increase on-street parking charges.
Mike Bisby, from the Federation of Small Businesses in the city, said the decision to raise parking prices by 15p an hour would "drive people away".
Hull City Council announced on Monday it was to increase the on-street parking charges from January.
The council said the proposed increase was needed to deliver essential services to tax payers.
Free Sunday parking
Local businessman Matt Read said he was disgusted with the increase: "I think its diabolical. We're up against the out of town shopping parks where the parking is free.
"I can't understand why the city council would look to increase the parking charges.
"I would've honestly thought that they'd be decreasing or abolishing some kind of parking charges so we can get the public into the city centre."
The council has also announced plans for free city centre parking on Sundays in the run up to Christmas.
Councillor Martin Mancey, portfolio holder for transport, said earlier this week that the parking charges represented good value for money and compared favourably with other cities such as Leeds.
The parking charges for on-street parking in the city centre had been capped for five years but, after a review by the council, the decision was taken to increase the rate from January in the wake of council budget cuts of £48m.
Mr Bisby said: "It's about the money and not helping the city centre.
"The council have a duty to help the city centre. Increasing the charges is going to drive people away."