RECENTLY I paid my first visit of the year to York, only for a day out, as opposed to stopping overnight, so I didn't have the luxury of a B&B's free parking.

I headed for Marygate car park.

I should have been less offended if, instead of a charge of £7 for five hours' parking (or £9.50 should I wish to park all day), I had been confronted with a sign simply saying: "Don't visit".

Looking at the number of empty spaces when I returned to the car, it would appear many others have decided to do just that.

David L Fairey,

Peterborough Road, Sheffield.

Updated: 09:28 Friday, April 22, 2005