YELLOW lines banning evening parking will start being scrapped in parts of York city centre from next month.

City of York Council's executive finally agreed yesterday to replace lines with parking meters in nine key streets.

Officers revealed that they would start installing the meters by the middle of August after finding they had some Pay & Display equipment already available elsewhere in the city.

The removal of the parking ban is a delayed victory for the Evening Press' Stop the Highway Robbery campaign, which last year fought for the removal of the yellow lines as well as lower evening parking charges. Restaurants and other evening businesses, particularly in Fossgate and Walmgate, complained that the parking restrictions were badly hitting trade.

They said some customers did not want to park up at off-street car park some distance away and then walk to and from their restaurants, partly because of safety concerns.

The owners of Tricksters and Masons restaurants in Fossgate revealed last week that business had dropped by 25 per cent following the painting of the yellow lines.

Norma Hall, who with her husband Stuart runs the two restaurants, said the meters would be a welcome improvement, but feared the damage had already been done.

"I think it's too little, too late," she said. "They have dragged their feet." She feared it would take a long time to get the business back.

The nine streets where meters will eventually be installed are Fossgate, Walmgate, Duncombe Place, Piccadilly, Goodramgate, Lendal, Stonebow, Blake Street and St Denys' Road.

The executive agreed to replace the lines with meters earlier this year, but the changes were delayed by two objections from local businesses and residents.

Updated: 10:01 Wednesday, July 27, 2005