A WEEK-LONG strike by traffic wardens in York has already caused “chaos and lost revenue”, according to the union which is leading it.

Most of City of York Council’s civil enforcement officers are taking the industrial action over the authority’s decision to implement five-day rather than four-day weeks to save money, which Unison claims will lead to sickness and stress levels rising.

Picket lines were formed outside Foss Bank and Castle Piccadilly car parks yesterday and Unison regional organiser Melanie Onn said the council had already lost “thousands of pounds” in parking fees.

However, the council denied this, saying it had received "fewer than usual calls" to its dedicated parking hotline this week while the strike is taking place.

She said: “We are now being told complaints are coming in to the council from residents who, because parking rules are not being enforced, are being forced out by illegal parkers who are not being monitored and penalised by traffic wardens.”

Sally Burns, the council’s director of communities and neighbourhoods, said all car parks were being monitored as usual and police were ensuring obstructions and parking on double-yellow lines were “minimised”. She said: “Parking charge notices are being issued and our feedback is that motorists are paying and displaying as usual.”

She said residents’ parking areas were also being monitored and the council’s parking hotline – 0800 138 1119 – allowed illegal parking to be reported, adding: "The hotline remains open, with operators reporting fewer than usual calls."