THERE is some good news on York parking fees. The charge for Park & Ride is to remain at £1.80 return.

This will further boost a service which saw record levels of use last month, all the while reducing York's congestion and pollution.

But what if Park & Ride is not suitable for you?

This applies to many people: residents living closer to the city, those delivering or buying bulky goods, mums with small children, business people meeting appointments in the city before driving elsewhere, those who work shifts, and so on.

They are to be charged £2 an hour for short stay parking at three of York's car parks.

This huge leap of 40 or 50p an hour will make a three-hour stay cost a shocking £6, surely making central York one of the most expensive places to park in Britain.

City traders are bound to be angry. Having fought the council over its decision to impose evening charges, another battle beckons as they struggle to make ends meet against out-of-town shops offering free and convenient parking.

If this new price increase were part of a carefully considered transport strategy, with the money raised going towards improved public transport, it would be more understandable.

But the council is simply milking the motorist yet again to solve its short-term shortfall.

Councillors should look elsewhere for revenue before they drive visitors from York.

Updated: 11:12 Wednesday, December 22, 2004