SCORES of angry York church-goers, traders and residents took thair protest about parking charges to a meeting of city council leaders.

But the ruling executive of City of York Council agreed to approve plans to introduce increased parking charges at its meeting yesterday.

The changes would include converting some single yellow lines to double ones, and introducing pay and display machines in some streets.

The controversial proposals are set to be debated again tomorrow at a strategic policy panel meeting (SPP), after they were called in by Labour councillors.

If the proposals are rejected at tomorrow's meeting, they will be thrown back to the executive - which meets immediately afterwards - for a final decision. If the plans go ahead, work to install the ticket machines will begin on Friday. Single yellow lines would be replaced by double ones from March 15.

David Schofield, representing Micklegate traders, urged councillors to rethink the charges, saying they were "nothing more than highway robbery".

He said: "Our shops rely heavily on passing trade, to the tune of 40 to 60 per cent." He warnedd that the charges would be "the downfall of the Liberal Democrats in York".

Responding to the protest, members agreed to implement the proposals in stages, allowing them time to discuss problems with the traders. Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, said: "The problems in Micklegate go far beyond the proposals to introduce parking charges.

"The only way to prove who's right and who's wrong is to implement them."

Members also agreed to cut Sunday restrictions in some city centre streets, after churchgoers signed petitions protesting about being forced to "pay to pray".

Ian Anderson, who attends St Michael-le-Belfrey church, won a concession from councillors to cut Sunday charges on North Peasholme Green, saying they would affect Sunday services at St Cuthbert's Church.

But he failed to get councillors to agree to relax charges in the city centre, which would affect parents picking up their children from a church hall in Stonegate, where 200 children take part in youth groups during the week.

Sandra Geere, of Park Grove, in The Groves, was also at the meeting to voice residents' concerns at increased charges and the introduction of ticket machines in the street.

She said: "What's needed in Park Grove is an extension of parking provision."

Another resident of the street, who did not want to be named, said: "The real issue is that there was never any consultation about this."

Updated: 10:41 Wednesday, March 03, 2004