HOSTILITY towards parking charges in York shows no signs of abating.

Every day brings fresh evidence of the difficulties these unpopular charges are causing.

It is hard to recall an issue which has aroused such ill feeling - as shown by the 5,000 signatures gathered by this newspaper's Stop The Highway Robbery campaign.

Motorists resent having to pay the evening charges and businesses say customers are staying away.

The latest complaint comes from the Castle Howard Ox in the Groves. The pub has lost the lucrative residency of the York Groves Amateur Rugby League Club, which has moved because of the imposition of charges.

The club had used the pub as its base for seven years, meeting there after matches. Now the post-match drinking will take place elsewhere, and cost the pub valuable revenue.

Players used to park their cars on the streets around the pub, which now have meters, or at Union Terrace car park, where charges apply. Tellingly, this car park is also close to Mama Mia's restaurant in Gillygate, which fears it could go bankrupt after 17 years, because of the charges.

Coun Anne Reid, City of York Council's executive member for planning and transport, says she does not wish to become involved in the relative success of individual businesses. That's all very well, Anne, but the whole issue is wrapped up in these individual stories.

The council still insists the charges will not be discussed until a council meeting on September 28. That is not good enough. Worried local businesses need a quicker response than that.

In Chester, where flat-rate charges apply, £1 pays for the night. That is at least simple and even-handed.

Meanwhile, there is still time to sign our petition tonight. Go on. Make your voice heard.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, August 26, 2004