A RESIDENT asked to take part in a City of York Council survey claimed today that questions on controversial evening parking charges were biased.

Talk About questionnaires go out to 2,200 randomly-selected people in the city three times a year to discover their views on a variety of topics.

Responses to the latest survey are due back by today, with City of York Council expecting at least three-quarters of people to respond.

But Linda Maloney, one of the residents sent the questionnaire, claims the wording of questions on parking charges will not secure a true picture of people's views.

One question asks: "Do you think the evening car parking charge scheme is ... a very good idea; fairly good; bad or don't know?"

Mrs Maloney claimed there should have been an option for people to say they were a "very bad idea."

Another question asks whether evening car parking charges should be abolished and the "overall cost charged through an increase in council tax." The only other options given are for the council to continue with evening charges, or don't know.

Mrs Maloney said the question failed to give people sufficient choices. "There's no alternative, but there should be in view of the public outrage and inconvenience to societies, clubs, private individuals, churches and charities as well as businesses," she said.

"There should be another option saying the council should find an alternative."

But a council spokeswoman said space was limited and so questions were kept concise.

She said focus groups were also held to discuss issues in more detail. "The questions are drafted by the council's research team and we welcome comments from panellists as part of the consultation process," she said.

Residents who want to comment on the car parking consultation should write to Chief Executive (Parking Consultation), City of York Council, Guildhall, York, YO1 9QN or email to transport.planning@york.gov.uk

Updated: 10:48 Friday, August 06, 2004