SO our city council, in the form of Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, really believes that empty car parking spaces show that their car park policy is working (Evening Press, September 18). Well, let me assure them that their reasoning is totally wrong.

The real reason for the empty car parking spaces is the high cost of parking and residents are no longer going into York to shop. We now rarely go into York because we refuse to pay the ridiculously high level of charges.

As a York resident, does a few minutes over one hour warrant £2.20? Does a few minutes over two hours warrant £3.30? Our last visit to the Shambles car park had a group of York residents complaining and vowing never to shop in York again.

The car parking charges are ludicrous and I just do not understand why we put up with them. No doubt we are complaining by not going into York, but where has the Chamber of Trade been as the charges continue to rise?

No wonder Mothercare is closing, yet another store closure. I wonder if York residents and motorists know that our city council is planning congestion-charging. They really have no need because their car parking charges are, in reality, congestion-charges.

Peter James,

Oak Tree Way,

Strensall,

York.

Updated: 10:33 Tuesday, September 24, 2002