RESTAURATEURS who lost trade when evening parking was banned in their York street called today for the restrictions to be lifted without delay.

They said Fossgate, with many restaurants, was one of the worst affected streets when new yellow lines were painted on streets across the city centre last year.

They were staggered when they discovered that they may face a long wait before the ban was removed.

As the Evening Press reported yesterday, City of York Council is being urged to replace the restrictions in nine city centre streets by metered parking.

But a report to the council's executive by its head of network management, Peter Evely, says that this should be done in phases, as redundant Pay & Display machines become available from car parks elsewhere.

He says this gradual programme could release evening parking "where it might best be used to support the local evening economy".

However, while he includes Walmgate West in the first phase for metered parking, he suggests that Fossgate should be in a subsequent phase.

Norma Hall, who with her husband, Stuart, runs two restaurants in Fossgate, Tricksters and Masons Bistro, was stunned by the prospect of a further delay, saying: "It's absolutely unbelievable. It's a decision which has not really been thought about in depth."

She said business had been badly affected when the parking ban came in, and it was continuing to hit trade, and there was an urgent need for it to be lifted. She called on the council's executive to over-turn the "crass" proposal and include Fossgate in the first phase.

Stuart said the proposal to switch to metered parking was a "step in the right direction", which might bring back some of the business lost from customers who were worried for their safety if they were unable to park at night near the restaurants.

He said there was an urgent need for the change in Fossgate.

Maria and Sam Abu Rish, who run the award-winning restaurant Rish, were also deeply concerned, saying the changes needed to be introduced as soon as possible. "I am extremely disappointed if we are in the second phase," said Maria. "This is the restaurant street in York."

She warned that some businesses could not afford to wait and might close if the change was delayed any further.

Coun Ann Reid, the council's executive member for transport, said that any representations made would be taken into consideration when the report was discussed at an executive meeting next week.

Updated: 08:32 Thursday, March 10, 2005