A PAINTER and decorator has hit out at the parking difficulties he faces when trying to paint shop fronts in York city centre.

Self-employed Nick Thompson, of Muncastergate, York, asked: "How on earth are we meant to do our jobs when we cannot park close to the sites?"

He complained that the city centre was becoming a "yellow-lined maze."

But a leading York councillor today suggested he was "jumping on the bandwagon," and said waivers could be obtained by businesses if they could prove it was necessary to park outside premises.

Mr Thompson said he occasionally got work painting the fronts of shops in the city. "Recently while working down North Street, I had to park up in St George's Field," he said.

"This is a good half-mile walk. By the time you have driven around there, parked up and got back to the site you have lost at least an hour's working time.

"Apart from the exorbitant parking charges and time lost, it is frustrating. Why are there those pathetic yellow lines down on King's and Queen's Staiths?

"It would be much easier if you could park around the area where you are working."

But Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, said city centre restrictions had been in force for many years and she felt Mr Thompson was jumping on the bandwagon.

"The situation on North St has not changed recently and I would park in Esplanade, which is very close," she said.

She said that if a vehicle was necessary for someone to do their work, for example containing equipment that was vital for the work to proceed, then they could be granted a waiver from parking restrictions.

But she stressed: "If a vehicle is simply there to effectively transport someone and to shelter them whilst eating their sandwiches for lunch, then it will not be granted a waiver."

She said that waivers had to be displayed in the vehicle and were only valid for a limited time (day or so) and in a specific position.

"I would suggest that anyone who feels that they have a need for a permit should contact the parking office at the council," she said.

Updated: 11:29 Friday, July 23, 2004