I WAS visiting York with friends. My daughter and I wished to take them to one of our favourite restaurants on Micklegate.

We were astonished to find the new pay and display regulations in operation.

Because of the limited time allowed we had to rush our meal, no time for a starter or a leisurely coffee after.

All in all this time restriction spoiled our evening. We shall certainly think very carefully about booking a meal in a restaurant in this area in the future unless a more favourable time allowance is provided.

Mrs M Dobson,

Orchard Drive,

Rampton,

Nottinghamshire.

...WITH reference to York car parking charges, my wife and I were attending a church function on the evening of Tuesday, June 1.

I parked in Nunnery Lane car park at 7.45pm and I inserted £2 into the ticket machine. According to the price list, this should have allowed me two hours parking.

The ticket issued was for £2 but expired at 8.45pm which meant I was only allowed one hour parking. I don't know the reason for this but I was annoyed.

Also, normally at this time this car park is almost full. On this occasion, it was almost empty. No wonder!

John M Davidson,

Middlethorpe Drive,

York.

...THE passionate and sincere belief of Councillors Galloway and Reid in their ill-conceived policy of charging York citizens for the privilege of parking on practically every street within their city walls, irrespective of the impact on small local businesses, is amazing.

Despite a torrent of protest, they remain convinced York residents are happy to pay for what should be their right, ie free parking in their city after 6pm in the evening.

York's citizens might reasonably conclude Mr Galloway's Liberal Democrats are using parking charges to raise revenue to balance the books and, therefore, may be guilty of financial incompetence.

Glyn Myerscough,

Huntsmans Walk,

Foxwood Hill,

York.

Updated: 10:38 Wednesday, June 09, 2004