YORK residents are to be asked for their views on the future of city centre parking - including the possible removal of evening on-street parking bans.

Researchers have been appointed by City of York Council to gauge residents' views on how parking can be improved in future.

Anyone coming forward to express their viewpoint has a chance of winning a year's free parking.

The consultation was agreed in September, following the Evening Press Stop The Highway Robbery campaign against high evening charges and new yellow lines banning evening parking in many city centre streets.

The council agreed at that time to cut evening charges to £1 for residents and £2 for non-residents, but said it wanted to consult residents before deciding whether or not to remove restrictions from streets such as Fossgate and Walmgate.

Councillors said they believed the yellow lines had made it easier for disabled people to park in the city centre.

The consultation will be timed to coincide with the introduction of lower evening charges on Monday, November 22.

"People will be asked whether they would like to see more designated evening parking bays in the city centre streets," said a spokesman.

Residents' views will also be gauged on being able to pay charges via credit card or mobile phone and using electronic "Minster" or residents' discount badges in car parks.

The consultation will take place in St Sampson's Square on November 18 and 19 and in Marygate, Monk Bar and Nunnery Lane car parks from November 18 to 21.

The council said that anyone taking part in the consultation would be eligible to enter a free prize draw to win a one-year car parking season ticket, valued at £1,522.

News of the consultation comes after the launch this week of a new late-night Park & Ride service from Askham Bar. The White Line service has been extended to run from 6am until midnight.

The council said it was too early to assess whether the service was being successfully taken up.

Updated: 10:07 Wednesday, November 03, 2004