LAST week, I was visiting York with friends and 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.

This time restriction spoiled our evening. We shall think 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.

...ARE the illiberal-democrats trying to drive amateur music out of York? I am involved with three out of four amateur music groups who all face an uncertain future because of the present city council's policies.

Members of York Recorded Music Society have asked "should we discontinue our meetings because the new evening parking charges are more than twice the cost of our membership subscriptions?"

Members of York Musical Society are voting on whether to move rehearsals out of the centre of York because of prohibitive evening parking charges.

York Guildhall Orchestra looks to be losing its home because of uncertainty about building developments and the future of the Barbican site.

Hull University's Music in York evening class is looking for premises out of the York centre, again because of parking charges.

All this means disruption and inconvenience to York-based organisations and loss of income to the venues where they have met in the past.

With whom, if anyone, does the city council consult before introducing such drastic and anti-social measures? Who do the city councillors represent?

Tony Pook,

Lower Friargate,

York.

...WHAT about thinking of the residents of York first for a change?

We work hard to pay our way (council tax etc) and the house prices in York are extremely high which means most of us are just keeping our heads above water.

What little leisure time we have left we have to pay for through the nose.

York residents and people employed in the city centre shouldn't have to pay to park on an evening, or if this is really necessary it should be a token amount.

Sometimes the tourist industry in York is given too much of a priority and residents and the people who work hard in this city are forgotten about, even though it is these people who keep the wheels turning.

Please City of York Council, give a thought to the honest hard working population of this city.

Donna Thorpe,

The Reeves,

Acomb, York.

...IT was interesting to read the reply from our parking services manager to theatre patron Alan Donaldson. ("Leave it overnight," May 14).

The important point is this: parking charges after 6pm are a stealth tax on citizens and visitors coming into town in the evenings to support and take part in activities, visit restaurants, theatres and concerts and attend charity events.

Hundreds of York citizens are of the same mind as Alan Donaldson and staying out of York in the evenings.

Council tax payers will remember this tax and lay it at the door of the Liberal Democrats at the next election.

J Spencer,

Eastfield Avenue,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, May 21, 2004