PENSIONERS and "night owls" have won new concessions on parking price rises in York - as a further 100 angry residents lodged objections to controversial car park charges.

John Elliott, chairman of York and District Family History Society, handed a petition against evening car park charges to city council transport boss Ann Reid before a meeting of the council's ruling executive.

Mr Elliott said: "The charges will affect us and many other charitable organisations whose voluntary members meet in the city during evening hours."

The traffic regulation orders to introduce evening charging have already been approved.

But Coun Reid said a new residents' evening permit, unveiled at yesterday's executive meeting, would help groups like the history society.

The permit, priced at £84 a year or £25 a quarter, will allow residents to park in city centre car parks between 6pm and 8.30am.

Business and tourism leaders had raised concerns that evening charges would hit York's night time economy.

"I hope this (new permit) will go some way to easing those concerns," council leader Steve Galloway said.

The council's ruling Liberal Democrat group also announced a new "super bus pass" for pensioners, which will allow them to buy a Day Rover ticket for only 50p.

Day Rover ticket holders can travel anywhere in York.

Coun Galloway claimed the benefit to pensioners would be worth about £80 a year.

He said: "We are very grateful to officers and the bus industry for working to produce what is one of the best packages for pensioners and disabled people in the country."

When the council proposed this year's council tax rise, it announced pensioners would receive travel tokens worth £50, double last year's figure.

Pensioners or disabled people will be able to put their tokens towards a Respark permit, knocking down the cost of the new permit to £34.

If they use a "city car", measuring 2.7m or less, the Respark permit would be free.

Don Parlabean, chairman of York Older Peoples' Forum, welcomed the "super bus pass" plan.

He said: "We were pleased with the travel tokens announcement. This is even more of a step in the right direction."

What do you think about the parking price increases? Send your views to Richard Edwards, 76 to 86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, or email richard.edwards@ycp.co.uk. Deadline is March 5.

Updated: 11:05 Wednesday, February 18, 2004