J R TENCH complains that it is not possible to buy an evening parking ticket before 6pm (Letters, January 19). This is not the case.

There is a notice on all the car park machines that states: "The flat rate evening parking charge is only applicable after 6pm. If you arrive before 6pm and want to stay into the evening you need to buy a ticket which covers both the daytime charge until 6pm and the evening charge. This should be bought as a single ticket".

One ticket will cover parking both before and after 6pm - there is no need to return to the car park at 6pm to buy another ticket for the evening.

There is a minimum charge of £1 for residents and £1.30 for non-residents (ie the parking rate for one hour) and, consequently, if someone arrives a few minutes before 6pm they can either wait till 6pm and pay the evening charge or pay the hourly rate plus the evening charge if they really do want to purchase their evening parking before 6pm.

Coun Ann Reid,

Executive member for planning and transport,

Grassholme,

York.

Updated: 09:43 Tuesday, January 25, 2005