A NIGHT out in York has become an expensive treat for Ryedale people, say town councillors at Kirkbymoorside who are pressing the city council to give them a better deal on the controversial parking issue.

Coun Susan Balf said: "We now have to pay an extra £3.30 for parking at night. We can no longer park free in the streets and we have already driven 26 miles to reach York from such places as Kirkbymoorside." She persuaded her fellow councillors to ask City of York Council to extend the park-and-ride service until late at night as an alternative.

York residents, said Coun Balf, got parking at a cheaper rate and York councillors should consider extending the concession to Ryedale residents.

In other matters discussed by Kirkbymoorside Town Council this week:

Former town mayor Coun John Bowes said that travel passes for the Scarborough and District bus service on the 128 route between Scarborough and Helmsley at present were not valid until after 9am.

He urged that travellers be able to use the passes earlier in the morning. Coun Val Arnold agreed to pursue the York parking and the bus pass issues as a county and district councillor.

Money was being earmarked to give a much-needed facelift to the roundabout at the approach to the market town on the A170 road, said Coun Arnold. In addition, spraying is to be carried out along

Gillamoor Road and other areas of the town to curb the growth of vegetation.

Town mayor Coun Nigel Richardson said he was to meet Brian Hughes, of the Environment Agency, next month over the flooding problems at Kirby Mills and Keldholme and to discuss the planned river walk improvements.

It follows a public meeting earlier this year when worried householders called for action to be taken to reduce the risk of future flooding. Coun Richardson said he was to meet local residents.

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, July 20, 2004