CONTROVERSIAL measures to make parking in York's city centre more expensive for many motorists have been pushed through by council chiefs.

But traders, residents and churchgoers in an historic part of the city have won a stay of execution against unpopular parking restrictions there, which they argue will drive away visitors.

Liberal Democrat leaders of City of York Council last night overruled objections to their plans to increase the number of city centre double yellow lines, change waiting bays to pay-and-display parking, and extend the charging hours of central car parks.

Opposition Labour group members had "called in" the plans because of their concerns of the impact on small businesses, community facilities and city centre residents.

But Lib Dem leader Steve Galloway said that proposals specifically for the Micklegate area would be deferred for further consultation with shopkeepers and other interested parties, including those who use five nearby churches.

He added that the council had also made a number of concessions to soften the blow of the parking changes for elderly people, regular visitors and resident parking permit holders.

"We have had a number of conflicting and contradictory views which we have had to find our way through.

"We have listened to what people said and we have changed the plans, some of them considerably," he said.

But Labour leader Dave Merrett said the measures would simply make the city centre less attractive to all kinds of visitors because the council needs to make more money.

Josie Good, warden of Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, said: "The delay is just a public relations exercise because of all the grief they have received from residents and traders in Micklegate.

"I feel very sorry for the traders who have been trying very hard. Churchgoers who travel in from the outskirts of the city will not be able to park now either," she added.

David Wilson, a resident of Union Terrace, said the cost of putting in car parking meters was not justified for just two or three spaces in his street.

He said: "It's just extra revenue for the council. It is a tax against city living. It just seems wrong. Metered parking will just put more pressure on the resident's parking areas."

Pat Farrington, of the Association of Wrens, which meets at St Denys' Church once a month, said elderly members who rely on cars would not be able to attend because of the proposed changes.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, March 05, 2004