IT'S getting to that time of year again, the events season. Very soon the city centre will be hosting the Open Air Art Festival, York Live, Chess Festival, plus farmers' markets to fill the gaps.

I am a great believer in putting events in town centres, but one thing concerns me: the constraint of space.

Last November, I stood at the top of Parliament Street and watched traders setting up for the St Nicholas Fayre.

Vans, cars and lorries all trying to get to the lay-by first to unload. Those that couldn't parked on the opposite footpath. Others abandoned their vehicles anywhere they could.

Add the lorries delivering and the street-sweeping vehicle trying to tidy up, and you had the one thing no one plans for organised chaos.

The activity area used to run from Parliament Street toilets as far as the fountain. Now, due to the popularity and success of every event, the whole street is classed as an event area.

When Parliament Street was redeveloped 20 years ago, it was tree lined and had benches for people wanting a rest. If it is now designated as an event space, money generated from events should be ploughed back into the street.

This is what should happen.

Certain events, namely farmers and continental markets, cause the removal of benches. This causes concern because an event is taking away a provision from a ratepayer. Would it not be a good idea to put the benches where they would not have to be removed?

This also applies to litterbins. Some traders cover or remove bins, but how can penalty notices be enforced if traders are moving or hiding bins?

Bicycle racks are also sometimes covered by stalls, especially when the continental market is in town. Again, move the racks so this does not happen.

Get rid of the fountain, which is a waste of space compared to proper fountains in other cities. Its only purpose is to attract raving lunatic street preachers and silly kids who want to waste money buying shampoo to create their own bubble party in the middle of town.

I would also chop down every tree in Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square. The trees in question are London Plane and they are not right for city centres. The roots are causing chaos with the footpaths. Look at the metal grids around the base of the trees - they are all wonky. Look at the surrounding footpath, it is not level. This is not bad workmanship, it is the tree roots running wild.

During the summer, the foliage on these trees is incredible. It blocks out light and hampers the view of CCTV: how can the cameras see through all those branches and leaves?

The solution is to replace them with more apt trees, or trees in buckets, like there are down Monkgate and Foss Islands Road. These could be moved by myself and my team when an event is in town to create more space. Or moved around at will to create a different scene once in a while.

I would also cover St Sampson's Square. The table cafés are very popular. Cover the area so they can trade in wet weather. Events could also be staged there, stopping the need for marquees to be installed at a cost to organisers. Plus visiting brass bands could also play there instead of being rained off in Parliament Street.

The council makes a good income from events. So plough some back and bring the street up to standard.

*Paul Willey writes in a personal capacity, and not on behalf of City of York Council. Paul works for the council as head of a street cleaning team.