BUSINESS leaders who have been heavily involved in the campaign against evening parking charges have warmly welcomed the changes.

But there was a much cooler reaction from other campaigners in the trades unions and Labour movements.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's good news. It's never enough, but I think it's a reasonable balance between the needs of the council and the needs of business." He strongly welcomed the late night Park & Ride experiment.

Adam Sinclair, chairman of both York Chamber of Trade and York Business Pride, said the changes were "the right move, good for the city and reasonable". He particularly welcomed the simplification of charges, saying many motorists had been confused by the current pricing structure.

David Cox, spokesman for York Small Traders, said he believed this was the best deal that could have been achieved under the circumstances, recognising that the council had a funding deficit. Concerns had been recognised and mostly taken into account in the proposals, he claimed.

"We also believe that without the massive public response to the changes made in April, the council would have not have made ANY changes and we thank all those that have made themselves heard and taken part in the many different campaigns that have taken place, including the Evening Press."

He would have preferred the complete abolition of evening charges, but believed a £1 charge for residents was more acceptable than the current charge and felt a £2 charge for non residents was not excessive, and was comparable with other cities that charge for evening parking.

However, Brian Anderson, of York Trades Union Council, which has organised public meetings and lobbies against the charges, claimed the proposals failed to go far enough. "I am quite disappointed," he said. "It's not enough. I do not accept they could not afford to scrap evening charges altogether." However, he welcomed the daytime freeze in charges.

The council's shadow transport spokeswoman, Labour councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, welcomed "any concessions the Lib Dems make in backing away from their unpopular parking policies", but added: "We regret that they are unwilling to consider scrapping evening charges altogether."

She said the proposals still failed to address many concerns, including the doubling of Respark charges. "It fails to provide more ordinary evening bus services, and it means more parking meters on the streets of York," she said. "And they say they are going to consult with voluntary organisations about concessions. What have they been doing the past two months?"

Key proposals

Flat rate £1 evening charges for residents with Minster Badge, and £2 for others

Consultation on removal of yellow lines from some streets

Freeze of daytime charges until at least 2006

Extending Askham Bar Park & Ride until beyond 11pm

Possible concessions for key charity/voluntary workers

Updated: 09:54 Saturday, September 18, 2004