IN my letter in April, I predicted there would be less income generated by the increase in short stay car parking charges than before.

It is very obvious that this must be happening when you observe the much lower numbers of cars parked in Piccadilly.

One day recently at 10am there were only 26 cars parked on the top floor and six of these were in the disabled parking area. Only a year or so ago you frequently had to queue to get in.

We know there has been a drop in retail shopping generally, but anyone who thinks this is the main reason for the very much smaller numbers of cars parking there has their head in the clouds.

It would be interesting to know how much income was generated there in April and May in 2005 compared with the same period in 2004 and 2003. May we obtain these figures under the new Freedom of Information Act?

Could it be that there is a hidden agenda and the powers-that-be hope the car park will become unviable, from a financial point of view, so it can be closed and converted into flats to create more income through additional council tax?

A L Dixon,

Coggan Way,

Bishopthorpe, York.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, June 17, 2005