PETER Evely's letter tries to justify recent hefty increases in residents' parking charges, but his letter confuses rather than clarifies.

He suggests that a large number of day visitor permits are issued and mentions a figure of 20 such permits for every annual household permit.

This sounds a lot, but actually represents less than one car-borne visitor per household every two weeks. It is difficult to see how this could cause a problem in most cases.

Mr Evely implies that the 150 per cent increase in visitor permit fees is necessary to restrain visitor parking.

But, generally speaking, visitors don't pay these charges - households do, because they give permits to those who have to visit them by car.

It is worth noting that many of the residents worst affected by this rise in charges are not well off and don't even own cars.

Mr Evely also suggests the very high increase in charges is necessary to ensure the ResPark schemes pay for themselves.

This doesn't make sense either because the council assured residents that the previous level of charges covered the cost of the schemes.

It is difficult to believe costs have gone up by more than 100 per cent within a year.

Matthew Page,

Emerald Street,

York.

Updated: 10:10 Thursday, December 09, 2004