THE new parking charges in York are proving to be one of the most heated local issues in a long time.

The anger between businesses and City Of York Council shows no sign of abating. In fact, the situation appears to be getting worse.

When the manager of one of York's largest hotels complains that the parking charges could damage his trade, it is clear something has gone very wrong.

Anthony Worrall, general manager of the Hilton, says parking charges are "the biggest issue we have as a business". Speaking to a packed meeting of local business people, Mr Worrall said big businesses as well as small could be damaged.

Although Mr Worrall has not yet seen a drop in occupancy, he says there has been a worrying fall in customer satisfaction. He fears it is only a matter of time before this dissatisfaction translates into lost business.

Anger over the new charges has been swelling in recent weeks, with many small businesses in the city centre contesting that the rises are adding to their woes.

The Evening Press has reported all such concerns as part of its remit to reflect and comment on life as it is happening in York and the surrounding area. So it is absurd for Coun Anne Reid, the executive member for planning and transport, to criticise this newspaper for simply doing its job.

When Coun Reid says "there isn't the doom and gloom that the Evening Press has been saying", she is, by implication, attacking us for conveying what local people are saying.

That is what we are here for, Anne.

It is time the Liberal Democrat council reconsidered its ill-conceived and much-hated parking charges.

It is never too late to admit a mistake.

Updated: 09:55 Friday, June 04, 2004