I RARELY go to Monks Cross shopping centre, but when my wife and I did on Sunday afternoon we were struck by three things. It is very easy to get to by car, parking is free, and the centre was full.

Compare the city centre where access is not easy, even the buses get caught up in the congestion, and it is certainly not free unless you walk or cycle in (not an option from Holme on Spalding Moor).

May I suggest that increasing the centre car-parking charges while out-of-town shopping is free and easy to get to is an idiotic act one would not expect from elected representatives?

With an even more tilted playing field, the centre will continue to wither as described so graphically by your correspondent Les Marsh.

David Mills,

Howden Road,

Holme on Spalding Moor, York.

...I WOULD like to know which planet Councillor Steve Galloway thinks he and his cronies are living on. It certainly is not planet earth.

I read that "November would be the earliest possible change to parking charges due to traffic orders and ordering of new equipment" (July 27).

What new equipment is needed to return the parking charges to what they were? Just re-programme the existing machines in car parks - as was done in March - and remove the new machines on the streets, filling the holes with a bit of Tarmac.

As for the double yellow lines - I've got a pot of black bitumen Councillor Galloway can have!

Furthermore, he counters the Labour motion for an urgent review by stating that an urgent review "would delay the review of charging arrangements". What is this man saying?

Further on in the paper I read that Councillor Galloway has taken on another role as chairman of the regional planning and infrastructure commission. I would suggest he gets his own house in order before presiding over anyone else's.

Jeremy Banyard,

Bramham Grove,

Acomb, York.

...HAVING attended the meeting regarding the parking charges in York and listening to the various arguments put forth, no one seemed to realise the answer to the problem is within themselves.

All they have to do is arrange meetings with their councillor with as many people as possible and instruct their councillor to remove the charges. It only takes two or three Lib Dem councillors thus instructed.

Mr P Richardson,

York Road,

Haxby,

York.

...PLEASE be advised that myself and family have done our shopping out of York for a number of years, and got used to it.

We will never shop in York again. This council has ruined the city.

Mr David Scholes,

Manor Park Road,

Rawcliffe,

York.

Updated: 09:08 Saturday, July 31, 2004