DOZENS of evening classes are to be switched from York city centre to the University of York campus in the wake of evening parking charges.

The university's Centre for Continuing Education says in its 2004/05 prospectus that the move of most of its adult education classes out of Kings Manor in Exhibition Square had been made "inevitable" by city centre parking changes - although other factors had been taken into account.

The York Family History Society has also decided to move its evening lectures out of the city centre because of a 35 per cent drop in attendances since evening charges were introduced.

The monthly lectures, which normally attract about 120 people from all over the area, will be switched in November from the Priory Street Centre off Micklegate to the New Earswick Folk Hall, where parking is free.

A regular speaker, Anne Batchelor from Leeds, says the move will mean lost business for shops and cafes which would normally be visited by herself and other society members before lectures. "I shall drive to New Earswick direct and spend nothing in York shops," she said. "Does the York council not realise that this will "kill the goose that lays the golden egg?"

About 50 university evening classes, involving several hundred students, will move out of town when the new academic year begins in September.

A university spokeswoman said a number of people attending evening classes had complained about the difficulties and extra costs caused by new parking restrictions and evening charges.

She stressed that other important factors contributing to the decision had been the good access on campus to library and computer facilities, more audio visual facilities, and better disabled access.

The campus move issue had been raised in a questionnaire to students, prompted by room availability, facilities for students, accessibility and parking charges. "Only two students thought moving the courses would be a problem."

Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council's executive member for planning and transport, said today that the university's changes showed that parking was not the only issue when people considered where to meet. "It appears that in this case other issues, such as access, have played a role in this decision," she said.

"Car park provision is a service and does have to be paid for in one way or another. We are not the only city or town in the region to charge for evening car parking."

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, July 15, 2004