YORK council chiefs are pushing ahead with controversial increases in residents' parking charges, which have been branded a new "tax" by opponents.

City of York Council's ruling executive last night voted to double Respark charges from March 28.

Labour councillors had "called in" the plans for discussion by the Strategy Policy Panel, but the panel rejected their pleas to consult residents first.

As previously reported in the Evening Press, residents in Bishophill handed a petition to the council opposing the increase.

Motorists who live in areas covered by the scheme will see the price of an annual permit soar from £42 to £84. Residents in parts of the city not covered by Respark are to be consulted on extending the scheme.

A 50 per cent discount will be available for people who choose to drive cars of 2.7 metres in length or smaller, though this would only bring the cost of a permit down to its current level.

Executive members also pressed ahead with plans to extend charging times in council-run city centre car parks until 9pm. The car parks are currently free after 6pm.

Charges will also rise by 10p an hour for medium and long-stay parking and 20p an hour for short stay from March 1.

Council leader Steve Galloway admitted that the combined measures would raise around £1 million of revenue, but told Labour councillors: "You have left us with a major budget problem."

He also stressed the positive environmental impact of the charges.

Labour group leader Coun David Merrett said they had originally introduced Respark following consultation to improve parking access for residents, and the permit charge was designed to cover enforcement costs. "It wasn't a profit-making exercise in terms of residents in that area," he told the Strategic Policy Panel, adding that the council benefited from increased car park use resulting from the restrictions.

Coun Merrett later condemned "the shameful way" the executive ignored their appeals to consult residents. He said shops, leisure services and community facilities would suffer from the increase and extension of car parking charges "which will make us the most expensive in the region".

But Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, called the measures "a drop in the ocean" compared to the cost of running a car, with a residents' permit costing just £2 a week.

Green councillor Andy D'Agorne said that he would have preferred to see a gradual increase in permit charges, and expressed concerns that streets not covered by the scheme could face parking problems, as those wishing to opt out of Respark looked elsewhere to park their vehicles.

Proposals to paint single "primrose" lines in several historic York city centre streets were also approved, to allow the enforcement of existing parking restrictions.

Updated: 10:36 Friday, December 19, 2003