CONTROVERSIAL evening parking charges in York are set to be cut to a flat rate £2 - with a £1 discount for residents.

And City of York Council may freeze daytime charges until 2006.

Other suggestions, which were being unveiled at a press briefing this afternoon, include the introduction of a late-night Park & Ride service from Askham Bar, the scrapping of the 10 pence charge for parking after 9pm. Residents may also be consulted over the re-introduction of some on-street evening parking.

The changes are outlined in a report to councillors, following a comprehensive review of charges in the wake of a storm of protest against evening fees and new yellow lines banning on-street evening parking.

The Evening Press' Stop the Highway Robbery petition, calling for the scrapping of evening charges and the removal of unnecessary yellow lines, was signed by almost 6,500 people.

For full details of the council's proposals - and what protesters think of them - don't miss tomorrow night's Evening Press.

Updated: 14:18 Friday, September 17, 2004