PLANS for two new colleges at the University of York will worsen parking problems for residents, according to councillors.

The scheme will provide accommodation for 1,480 students but Hull Road ward councillors Michael Pavlovic and Neil Barnes said the proposals for a “car free development” will have an impact on residents’ parking.

Cllr Pavlovic said there are already issues with staff and students parking on streets in Badger Hill and surrounding areas, rather than using the pay-and-display car parks on campus.

Cllr Barnes said: “In official circles the university campus has no impact on parking on local streets. Councillors and residents know better. We are astounded that the official survey suggests no uplift in parking levels. The evidence in front of our eyes suggests differently, whilst we never even get to access the actual survey results.

“Limited parking measures in years gone by have had a minor impact but these latest developments at the university are a game changer and not for the better.

“It’s time for the university to get real about the impact of staff and student parking on local streets.”

The application was due to be approved at a City of York Council meeting last week but the decision was deferred.

A University of York spokesperson said: “The university, in collaboration with the council, monitors car parking on campus and on-street parking to inform our understanding of traffic in the area. The university has an active travel plan in place and has a number of measures in place to reduce car dependency and promote walking, cycling, train and bus use.

“With several thousand cycle parking bays, and cycle lanes connected to the national cycle network, we have some of the highest cycling usage in the UK for a university.

“For those who need to drive, the university has 20 car parks, which includes provision for visitors, to encourage those travelling to campus to use the car parks provided.”