BY tearing up his parking permit Councillor Andy D'Agorne, left, has not helped the cause of evening parkers (February 21).

It has given Ann Reid the chance to spin the situation around and emphasise the merits of York's councillors.

I am not a financial wizard but I know that if I am charged for parking in the evening for the activities I enjoy then I am going to get the money back tenfold by avoiding York like the plague during the day when it is a chore. Surely there will be others like me.

When I lived within the boundary, a previous council allowed free parking in the evening to stop the city centre becoming derelict.

Derelict cities are dangerous places which need more policing and fire coverage or they will deteriorate even further.

Crowds are safe and bring cash into the city. Will Ann Reid's £84 stretch to cover these additional costs along with the costs of putting yellow lines on all the roads and installing additional parking meters?

Doug Allwright,

Orchard Park, Melbourne, York.

...Councillor Andy D'Agorne was seen in a car and leaning out of a window. Is this the same person who advocated the ban of all cars in York? The same person who told us to use bikes? Maybe it is a question of do as I say not as I do.

S Orchard,

Nunmill Street, York.

Updated: 09:58 Friday, February 27, 2004