THE York shopkeeper who hit out at the council after being told to remove the A-board advertising her business now wants to organise an association of traders in her street.

Pauline Dalby, owner of New Moon, an holistic healing centre in Walmgate, said traders in the street would meet to discuss a raft of grievances.

She said many businesses were especially angry about tough new parking measures, including new double yellow lines and parking meter charges, which they say are killing the street.

She said: "We think it's disgusting. There's a lot of despondency up and down Walmgate.

"We are being driven out of our businesses.

"A lot of my customers say the parking has definitely made a difference. They don't want to pay over a pound just to come this far into town."

Jackie Longbottom, manager of Kopykatz Hairdressing, agreed.

She said: "People aren't parking outside here. They are stopping, looking at the meter, and driving off.

"We are all ringing the council up separately and getting nowhere. We are all up in arms and we're hoping that if we have one voice they might take more notice."

May Bloomfield, owner of nearby Eclipse Ceramic Tile Studio, said a traders' association would be a good idea.

She said: "This is something we've all got to, but we've got to organise it properly.

"It's been dead on the street over the last week. I want to know why the charges are so steep."

Annette Jowett, a partner at Coverdales Opticians, said she was keen to form an association, saying that Micklegate traders had achieved some success by forming a strong group.

She said: "I am against the charges. We have had patients comment on how much they have had to pay just to pick up their specs."

Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, said it was a good idea for traders to form an association.

She said: "If groups of traders get together, they can flag up their concerns and we can look at them."

Updated: 11:55 Saturday, April 10, 2004