HUNDREDS of members of voluntary groups in York have raised concerns over council plans to make people pay to park in the evening.

Almost 100 members of one group alone, the York and District Family History Society, signed a petition opposing the evening charges.

Group chairman John Elliott said he carried out a parking charge poll among people present at the group's February meeting.

Mr Elliott said: "The poll was to whether members were opposed to the scheme and whether they would be willing to sign a petition to that effect.

"The show of hands was unanimous."

Doug Allwright, treasurer of York Writers, said scores of small voluntary groups met in the city centre out of normal working hours.

He said: "There are writers, readers, poets and musicians. They add to York's culture and bring in rates income from the premises they frequent."

Colin Stroud, chief executive of the York Council for Voluntary Services, said it encourages people to walk or use public transport when visiting its Priory Street base.

But he said he was keen to meet with city council executive member for planning and transport, Ann Reid, to discuss voluntary group members who use car parks in the evening.

Mr Stroud said: "I hope to work out some arrangement with the council.

"But I am conscious of the effect on traders in Micklegate and that they might say: 'If they get special treatment why don't we?'

"I would have some sympathy with that view."

Coun Reid has defended the increases, claiming there was a "green" aspect to them, as the council hoped they would encourage people to use buses.

She said: "The buses are not as frequent in the evening because not as many people use them, perhaps if more people did there would be more buses."

Coun Reid said that York had traditionally been a "low rated" council.

She added: "The tradition has been the rates are kept lowish and the people pay for the services they wish to use."

Thank-you to all readers who have contacted the Evening Press with their views on the parking charges. All responses must be in by Friday, March 5.

Updated: 08:25 Thursday, February 12, 2004