Liverpool City Council has withdrawn its attempt to stop a legal bid to overturn its late-night parking charges.
The local authority faced opposition to the decision to end free on-street parking in the city centre after 6pm with new measures taking effect last July.
More than 90% of public responses to the plan opposed the move, which caught out over 7,000 motorists in the new scheme’s opening three months.
Former councillor Alfie Hincks is leading a campaign to seek the measures reversed that received backing from more than a dozen local businesses.
Council chiefs attempted to argue last month that Mr Hincks’ bid did not comply with the procedural requirements for serving the legal action.
However the motion to dismiss has now been shelved as campaigners filed a counter-application setting out their reasons why the case should proceed.
A spokesperson said: “Liverpool City Council has withdrawn its application to strike out the legal challenge to the recent parking charge increase, as the claimant has since corrected the procedural errors that initially formed the basis of that application.
“It will be for the court to decide whether the claim should proceed. The council is confident that it has complied with all relevant legal requirements”.
The move has been welcomed by Liverpool Business Leaders, who are part of Mr Hincks’ attempts to see the current 11pm restrictions changed.
“This is a welcome development. From the outset, we have wanted the substance of this case to be heard,” they told the Liverpool Echo.
“Liverpool’s businesses, workers and visitors deserve proper scrutiny of decisions which have a significant impact on the city centre.
“The council attempted to have this challenge disposed of on procedural grounds; following our response to the court, that application has now been withdrawn.
“This does not determine the outcome of the wider case, but it removes the council’s attempt to have it struck out at this stage.
“We remain determined to ensure the serious questions raised by these parking changes receive the scrutiny they deserve.”