Council moves to throw out parking charge challenge

A city council is moving to throw out a legal challenge against its decision to end free late night parking.

Last month, it was revealed a former city councillor was leading the charge against Liverpool City Council's move to extend the charging hours in the city centre from 18:00 BST until 23:00.

More than a dozen businesses have signed up to launch an action against officials as they said it risks damaging the city centre economy "when businesses are already facing immense pressures."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) now understands an application has been made from the Cunard building to have the challenge dismissed.

In July last year, it was finally confirmed parking charges would be extended in the city centre until 23:00.

Despite almost 90% of people indicating they were against the move, councillors pressed ahead with the change, arguing it would standardise parking across the city centre.

The plan was first mooted in 2022.

Alfie Hincks, founder of Seascope Maritime Training, said it was "desperate" the council had not pulled the scheme.

Mr Hincks said he and other business leaders would seek to challenge the legitimacy of the decision.

Last summer, signage and parking meters were updated across the city centre to reflect the changes to the controlled parking zone (CPZ).

As a result, drivers are no longer able to leave their cars on city streets for free after 18:00.

A review of the CPZ around the city centre was first carried out in 2018.

An initial informal public consultation was held in February 2022 after which proposals were revised and a statutory consultation undertaken between July and August 2023.

More than 7,000 drivers were caught out by the new charging hours in the first three months of the scheme.

The judicial review challenges the council's decision to introduce significantly increased parking charges across the city, arguing the measures are unlawful and will have a damaging impact on Liverpool's economy, workers and visitors.

The LDRS understands the council has asked the court to strike out the claim, alleging the claimant did not comply with the procedural requirements for serving the claim.

Mr Hincks said: "The impact on the night-time economy is not acceptable. The council have painted themselves into a deep corner, we want our day in court.

"It's desperate from them to not say let's just pull it and review it."

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "The council is confident that it has complied with all relevant legal requirements.

"However, we will not be commenting further on an ongoing legal matter."

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