ONE more major protest against York's parking charges is being planned on "P-Day" - the day councillors decide whether to scrap or reduce evening fees.

York Trades Union Council (TUC) is organising a lobby outside the Guildhall in Coney Street before a full council meeting on Tuesday, September 28.

Scores of people attended a similar lobby before a previous meeting at the end of July, calling on the authorities to get rid of evening charges and unnecessary yellow lines preventing on-street parking during evenings.

The protesters waved Evening Press Scrap The Highway Robbery banners, heckled leading members of the council's ruling Liberal Democrat group, and sang a protest version of On Ilkla Moor Bah'tat.

On the evening of September 28, councillors will be debating a decision taken earlier that day by the executive on the future rates and level of charges.

An officers' report, outlining the options, is due to be published shortly.

Council leaders Steve Galloway has hinted previously that the authority will not be able to afford to scrap evening charges altogether, but might introduce a lower flat-rate charge with a big discount for residents.

Brian Anderson, of the York TUC, said the lobby later this month, due to start at 4.30pm, would be the last opportunity for people to voice their opinion before the final decision was taken by councillors.

"This is P-Day for York - Parking Day," he said.

"The decisions taken then will have a crucial bearing on the future of York city centre's evening economy," he said.

He claims that, in the long run, jobs in businesses such as restaurants could be put at risk if the charges remained in place.

He called on the people of York to make one more big effort to tell councillors that evening charges were unacceptable by attending the lobby, which he hopes will be joined by members of a local band.

He urged that campaign supporters unable to attend the lobby to write to Coun Galloway, or Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, to express their views and concerns as soon as possible.

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, September 16, 2004