THE residents of Fleming Avenue, a cul-de-sac of ten houses off Fifth Avenue, received a letter from the council informing them that because of a boundary change they will be joining the East Parade area residential parking scheme.

Fleming Avenue will be reduced to "no waiting at any time", effectively preventing residents, their visitors and tradesmen from parking at all. Since two of the ten houses have only a short forecourt, this prevents them from parking on their own property.

This is, I am told, due to a complaint about all-day parking (people parking in the area and walking into town) obstructing access.

Since I work shifts, I am here most of the day and find it difficult to accept. While we do get the occasional non-resident parking, usually the vehicles in the avenue belong to residents, visitors to residents or visiting tradesmen and of course my own since two weeks in three I am on shift.

The alternative offered was Fifth Avenue at its Glen Road end which is at present used for all-day parking. Since this is a through road between Layerthorpe and Melrosegate and is also used as a bus route it effectively reduces it to one lane which is obviously unacceptable.

A further concern is the effect that it will have on property prices due to having this amenity withdrawn.

D Ballou,

Fleming Avenue,

Heworth, York.

...PLEASE could somebody at the City of York Council rethink their car parking policy for city centre residents? As a resident of Goodramgate, where I am unable to park between 8am and 4pm, I inquired about acquiring a car parking permit, perhaps in Walmgate, Foss Islands Road or Lord Mayor's Walk.

I was informed that Goodramgate residents did not qualify for such a "perk". I was told: "You can apply for a parking permit for one of the city centre car parks, at a reduced rate" - £41 per month at Foss Islands Road or £36 a month at any of the others.

At more than £400 a year, I not surprisingly passed on that option. I have since found a spot outside the city centre, at least a 20-minute walk from my flat, where I can sometimes find a space. The rest of my time is spent dodging traffic wardens and parking in shop car parks and unless anybody has any suggestions which will not cost me a small fortune, I will feel perfectly entitled to flout the laws to my heart's content.

Dianne Hillaby,

Goodramgate, York.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, October 01, 2001