RESIDENTS fear traffic chaos is looming around York's Barbican Centre on concert nights, if it is redeveloped according to current plans.

The number of parking spaces available in the vicinity of the centre is set to be reduced from more than 500 to 270. Many of these will be taken up by motorists staying at the proposed new 135-bedroom Barbican hotel, which itself will have only 18 parking spaces.

The Kent Street car park, which is reduced in size as part of the scheme, will also cater for people using the new community swimming pool and fitness suite, the new Barbican lounge bar - and eventually even patrons at a proposed casino.

Many concert-goers will be expected to use car parks further away, such as St George's Field or Peel Street, and then walk to the Barbican.

But residents living in nearby back streets fear many will instead try to park there.

"It's going to be a complete nightmare," said Anna Bowen, of Willis Street, off Heslington Road. "It's already horrendous. You often can't park here as it is."

Neighbour Liz Brotton feared the redevelopment would exacerbate existing problems.

People would inevitably try to park in local streets if there was no room in the remaining local car park.

Traffic experts Faber Maunsell, commissioned by the Barbican developers, say any street parking problems could be tackled by a residents parking scheme.

Residents in Willis Street said such a scheme was the only solution - but they were unhappy that the council is set to double the rate for this to more than £80 per household.

Charlie Croft, City of York Council assistant director of lifelong leisure and learning, said he was confident concert-goers would willingly park at the other car parks, which were within reasonable walking distance.

But he said better direction signs would be needed, particularly to the Peel Street car park, which many were unaware of.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that an important report to the council's executive on the Barbican sale contained a second error.

The report by Mr Croft stated that £2.5 million was to be spent on "refurbishment of the auditorium" by the prospective new owners Absolute Leisure Limited.

But he confirmed to the Evening Press that this was "loosely-worded" and related in fact to the refurbishment of the whole Barbican Centre, including the construction of a large lounge bar and glass atrium on what is currently a paved area outside the front of the centre.

He stressed that there would be a major refurbishment of the auditorium itself, greatly improving its appearance, for example by covering over exposed breeze blocks.

The Press reported previously how the report had also stated that the auditorium's 1,500-seat capacity would be reduced to 1,200. The council later said this was a printing error and the number of seats would remain at 1,500.

Updated: 10:34 Friday, February 13, 2004