AT last the cat is out of the bag, as Coun Ann Reid admits the draconian car parking charges are to forestall a one per cent increase in council tax (March 26).

At least we now know that they are not being introduced as a result of any integrated transport policy.

Those wishing to enjoy an evening's activity in York have to pay nearly £4 for the privilege of parking the car, despite having no alternative.

If we do this two evenings a week, it represents a new annual cost equivalent to around 30 per cent of a typical council tax bill.

Please may we have the one per cent increase instead?

Tim Tozer,

Church Lane,

Elvington,

York.

...YOUR article on car parking charges highlights no more than the opportunism of the Evening Press in jumping on a bandwagon before seriously thinking through the argument.

We live in a society that balks at having to be accountable for the services it uses.

The Liberal Democrats, while implementing unpopular policy, at least have the guts to face the budget deficit head on.

Why do we have such a deficit? Purely because the previous Labour administration worked on the national principle of hiding tax wherever possible to avoid being unpopular.

A touch of realism is unusual and welcome from a council. The roads, and parking on them, attract an expense in terms of upkeep and other related charges. Who will pay for this?

There would be uproar if another one per cent were put on council tax. At least parking charges are relevant to the parties concerned - those who want to park there.

Also, sensibly there has been some flexibility by the council for churchgoers and traders.

I suggest the Evening Press looks at all the arguments before jumping on the easy, and popular. bandwagon.

Nick Love,

Deangate,

York.

...I AM wondering whether the purpose of the extra 10p charge for parking between 9pm and 8am is to catch York citizens who think payment up to 9pm is sufficient even if they intend to stay later ('24-hour car park charges', March 15).

Or is the object to present overnight visitors with parking tickets when they collect their cars the following morning?

P Knight,

Jedwell Close,

New Earswick,

York.

...WITH this council's determination to fleece York motorist I suggest a suitable addition to the dictionary of Cockney Rhyming Slang?

Example: "I've never seen such Ann Reid in my life". That is, for greed, Ann Reid.

David L Fairey,

Peterborough Road,

Lodge Moor,

Sheffield.

Updated: 10:47 Monday, March 29, 2004