For the second time in a week The Press has reported a proposal to increase car parking charges in York “across the board” (Parking price rise warning, The Press, January 28). This is simply untrue The majority of users will face a price freeze, in most cases for the third successive year. There will be no increase at the busy, five-hour maximum stay, Castle, Piccadilly or Bootham Row car parks.

Those needing to make a quick trip to the city centre for a hair cut or to pick up shopping will still pay 20p for 30 minutes parking “on street” in Micklegate.

The 70p-an-hour charge for both visitors and residents at the popular shoppers’ car park on Foss Bank will be frozen.

There will be no increase for users of low emission vehicles (VED bands A & B) who already enjoy a 50 per cent reduction on season ticket prices.

There will be a 10p an hour increase for residents holding a Minster badge at standard-stay car parks like Union Terrace and St George’s Field, but these prices have been frozen for five years and the new rates will be less in real terms next year than they were in 2003.

The media do the city centre economy no favours by misleading reporting. The truth is that now car parking prices in York compare favourably with those in competitor towns and cities in the region.

Motorists simply need to plan ahead to get the best parking deal.

Parking space availability in the city can be accessed from the web at www.york.gov.uk/transport/ Parking/Car_parks/ And for those who want a cheaper option still, the Park&Ride service has been revamped, with the last of the new, air-conditioned bus fleet taking to the streets next month.

Coun Steve Galloway, Executive member with responsibility for city strategy, City of York Council, Guildhall, York.

Editor’s note: As previously explained in The Press, the use of the phrase “across the board” in relation to the proposed increase in car parking charges was intended to refer to changes which would affect a wide range of motorists and residents, rather than that the price rise would affect absolutely everyone.