THE Evening Press today urges Coun Steve Galloway, leader of City of York Council, to reconsider the draconian parking charges that are driving visitors away from York and threatening to ruin the economy of the city's heart.

It is an issue that will not go away. The protests and concerns have been voiced ever since the ruling Liberal Democrat group announced it was introducing late-evening car park charges and prohibiting on-street evening parking all over the city months ago.

Far from subsiding, the protests have persisted and become louder. Never, in recent years, has an issue caused such an outcry from such a vast cross-section of the community.

Shops, churches, restaurants, pubs, hotels, tourism attractions - and their staff - as well as residents, are all being hurt by the ill-conceived, money-raising parking policy.

Late-night staff are also at risk as they have either to walk home or trek long distances to reach their cars.

The council has promised a review, which it now transpires will commence in the middle of November with a report promised by January, 2005.

That is too late. By then, the many businesses affected will have suffered a devastating 2004. Some may go out of business, and York will be shunned by visitors - either tourists or evening visitors from just outside the city who will not pay the avaricious charges .

The council may have calculated its budget on the income from this damaging scheme. But it is a budget that will lose the city income and reputation. We understand that difficult decisions have to be made when balancing the books of a local authority, but in this instance we feel they have got it completely wrong.

For the sake of the economy and people of York, Coun Galloway should drop the after-6pm charges now.

Restore on-street evening parking and make this tourist city the attractive, vibrant place it used to be to visitors.

Updated: 10:21 Thursday, July 01, 2004