WHEN the council announced it was to start taxing a York night out, we said the policy "could well be at the expense of York's social and business life".

Sadly that prediction is coming true. Evening parking charges are driving people away.

In our survey, many restaurateurs report a slump in trade, particularly midweek. One says his takings have been slashed by half on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Other traders say their streets are practically deserted in the early evenings.

This grim situation was all too predictable. The Liberal Democrats rushed in night-time parking charges to plug a budgetary gap, without considering the consequences.

This financial quick-fix may not work. If motorists are now avoiding York at night, the hoped-for extra revenue generated by evening charges will evaporate.

The consequences for York as a tourist city are altogether more serious, however. Electronic signs on the city boundary warn incomers of night-time charges. They are effectively giant "keep out" notices.

Alarmed by the repercussions of its policy, the council has come up with another brainwave. People who pre-book their entertainment could get a discount parking scratchcard.

This panic measure typifies the Liberal Democrats' haphazard approach to this issue.

It will do nothing to counteract the drop in passing trade. York's compact size makes it attractive to the casual visitor who might come for the day and stay for the nightlife. They cannot plan their spontaneity in advance to take advantage of the scratchcard scheme.

The Lib Dems say they will review the parking charges after six months. Businesses may have gone to the wall by then. Councillors should have the courage to admit they have made a mistake and scrap the policy immediately.

Updated: 10:03 Wednesday, May 19, 2004