U-turn over 'Pay to pray' parking plan

Hundreds of worshippers - including the Archbishop of York - were outraged by proposals to completely ban on-street parking from large sections of the city. It would have forced them to fork out to park while attending services.

But the restrictions are now set to be revised to allow churchgoers to park on a Sunday in Goodramgate, Duncombe Place, High Petergate, Blake Street, Library Square and parts of Lendal, Walmgate and St Deny's Road. Car parking would be prohibited on these roads at all other times.

The original proposals also included converting some 60-minute maximum stay on-street parking to 60-minute maximum pay and display parking bays (except for permit holders) and converting some on-street parking bays outside residents' parking zones to Pay and Display parking bays.

But in light of opposition, other concessions could now include the provision of a discounted parking pass for people who regularly visit the city centre on an evening, such as those working in bars or restaurants. This could be charged at £84 for residents or £120 for non-residents.

Senior councillors will discuss revisions to the original proposals at their meeting on Tuesday.

City of York Council received 123 objections to the proposals.

The Rev Roger Simpson, Vicar of St Michael-Le-Belfrey Church, sent in a 246-name petition.

Four other petitions were also received from The Parish Church of York All Saints, St Denys' Church, Carter Jonas Property Consultants and the residents of Park Grove.

Mr Simpson said today: "I am really encouraged that they are listening to the concerns of Christians in the city".

If agreed, the changes to waiting restrictions will come into effect on March 15 and the introduction of the special evening parking pass will come into effect as soon as the necessary legal procedures have been completed, possibly as early as mid-April.

Updated: 10:36 Friday, February 27, 2004