A REVIEW of York's controversial parking charges will be completed within two months, following a noisy lobby of councillors by scores of protesters and a stormy council meeting.

Trades unionists, shopkeepers and operatic society members united in staging a colourful protest against new charges and restrictions outside the Mansion House last night before a full meeting of City of York Council.

A choir sang a protest song adapted from On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at, passing motorists were urged to toot their horns in support of the lobby and senior councillors such as council leader Steve Galloway were booed and heckled as they headed for the Guildhall.

Later, inside the chamber, Labour and Liberal Democrat members clashed bitterly during a two-hour debate over the fees and their impact, and over the reasons why they were imposed in the first place.

Labour leader Dave Merrett, proposing an urgent and immediate scrutiny review, involving full consultation with affected groups, claimed the social life and economy of the city was being completely undermined by evening charges.

He said that with the exception of one or two planning applications, he could not recall an issue causing as much controversy and feeling among ordinary York residents. Fellow members claimed the charges had badly affected churches, theatres, charities, shops and the voluntary sector, with one councillor claiming that some restaurants had lost up to 40 per cent of their trade.

But the ruling Liberal Democrat group blamed the charges on a lack of funding for York from the Government, and claimed that the alternative to charges had been cutting important public services.

They accused Labour councillors of opportunism, questioned their environmental credentials and claimed their proposal would actually delay a review which was already under way.

The council voted 25-16 in favour of a Lib Dem amendment, which "noted the concern expressed by some sections of the business and local community about car parking charges, and therefore resolves to step up the campaign to get a fair grant deal for York in future years".

The amendment also called on the executive to publish its response to representations, and to implement any agreed changes "as soon as practical."

Coun Galloway said the results of the review would be reported back on September 28 to the executive, which would decide on what changes, if any, should be made. The review's conclusions would also be reported to full council, which met on the same day.

Some Lib Dems had earlier criticised the Evening Press' Stop the Highway Robbery campaign, suggesting that it had itself caused damage to the city.

Brian Anderson, of the York TUC, who organised the lobby, had earlier told councillors that the charges were hurting ordinary working people in York, many on low and fixed wages and incomes. He said: "It takes real courage to admit 'we got it wrong' but, for the sake of York, we hope you have that courage."

Updated: 10:28 Friday, July 30, 2004