IN response to the report 'Park & Ride sees huge rise' (June 30), even if you don't use this service, you are still made to pay for it by using the city centre car parks and having to pay sky high parking charges.

No wonder there has been a massive drop in people using the council car parks.

York has one of the highest parking charges in the region, which is so off-putting to visitors and people wanting to set up new businesses in the city.

So if the council wants to see a continued decline in visitors and new business investment, carry on with sky high parking charges and let's see what becomes of the city centre.

Terry Smith,

Fourth Avenue,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 10:40 Monday, July 04, 2005