AS a market trader for 30 years I have seen the ups and downs of York trade. Unfortunately it has been more down than up.

Before the advent of Clifton Moor I was a member of the York Chamber of Trade. We had regular meetings with the council and we put to them that an out-of-town shopping centre would see the city centre fall into decline.

As always, the council know more than the retail trade. It has taken longer than I thought, but it has happened.

Take a look around the open market and see how few of the older established traders are still there. My takings in 1988 were a lot better than they are today.

This is not just evening car parking charges but an accumulation of different things over the years.

It started with Clifton Moor then Monks Cross and McArthurGlen, higher car parking and pedestrianisation. This evening charge is just the last straw.

If you can get the council to listen to you and make them change their minds I take my hat off to you, but in the past 30 years I cannot remember them doing that.

Ian Smythe,

Ian and Sue Greeting Cards,

The Green,

Sheriff Hutton,

York.

...FOR many years of Labour control, the motorist in York became a "cash cow" to be milked at regular intervals to prop up an ailing council economy - all in the name of "environmental benefit".

At the same time, parking spaces in York were slashed.

York has never actually purpose-built any car parks to provide for city-centre parking. It has relied on a doctrine of prohibition rather than provision over the years, while looking for an increasing level of parking pounds revenue year on year.

Parking charges have now become an essential part of the council's income mix. However, the more effective they are at their doctrine of dissuading city centre parking the fewer people will park and pay and so the more will have to be raised from a diminishing user base.

It is the law of ever diminishing returns. Eventually, there will be nobody parking in York to pay anything at all.

What then?

I am not at all sure that this policy even came from the Lib Dems. Maybe it is just part of the ongoing onslaught against motorists in this city by the faceless, unelected career council officers.

These shadowy figures (all superannuation and bicycle clips) put forward these kind of proposals for councillors to "nod through".

This development seems to have that "ongoing attack on motorists" ring about it which goes back well beyond the arrival of this Lib Dem council just a year or so ago.

Peter Stanhope,

Grange Close,

Skelton, York.

... WOULD it not be appropriate for the councillors to set an example when they go into York to meetings, to pay the parking charges that all lesser mortals have to pay, and not use their free parking passes?

After all, they get paid for their work but we citizens who park in York to help charities and take part in activities do not get paid for it.

Trevor Spencer,

Eastfield Avenue,

Haxby, York.

... AS a family, we would often come to York on a summer's evening, have a stroll along the river, maybe have a meal in a caf or pub.

Many times we have been to the Barbican Centre or the Grand Opera House and enjoyed the entertainment and have had some great nights out in the city centre.

When we wanted to see a film we would use the Odeon rather than the out of town multi-screens.

Now we go to Scarborough. They seem to know that people from close-by still like to come in after the crowds have gone and enjoy their hospitality without the charges.

John Hatfield,

Balksyde,

Slingsby, Malton.

... I DO not understand what all the fuss is about evening car parking charges. What's so wrong about paying for a service that you use?

The car parks are well lit, patrolled by wardens and many are covered by 24-hour CCTV. These things have to be paid for.

If you have taken the trouble to read all the information surrounding this year's council tax debate you would know that York is the tenth lowest taxed local authority receiving £231 per head less on average than other councils.

The council has to raise income somehow and I for one would rather pay to park if I choose to use the car parks in the evening rather than have a larger council tax bill for services that I don't use.

Mrs J Elmer,

Albemarle Road,

York.

... I HAVE a simple message for all the people who are whinging about car park fees and parking charges.

If you think you can sort out the problem or balance the books to everybody's satisfaction, and are prepared to have your name lambasted at every opportunity, can I make the suggestion that you stand to be elected as a councillor and have a go yourself?

Put up or shut up!

PR Willey,

Burnholme Drive,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 11:19 Friday, July 23, 2004