CITY leaders have moved to crack down on illegal parking at Monks Cross in York following numerous complaints about access.

Residents, employees, bus operators and the emergency services had hit out over problems caused by dozens of roadside parked vehicles thought to belong to commuters.

The situation has become so serious that over the past month council officers have received at least two complaints a day from businesses, including the largest on-site employer, Norwich Union, as well as from individuals.

Illegal parking has obstructed footways and signed bus stops, and caused damage to grass verges.

In late September, First abandoned the bus shuttle route linking the Park&Ride site and the Monks Cross development and made two other routes shorter to avoid the affected roads.

Peter Evely, head of network management for City of York Council, described the situation as "unsatisfactory".

He said: "The actions of motorists is frustrating the proper use of the highway and the withdrawal of the bus service is inevitably going to lead to even greater use of private vehicles both for commuting and other journeys."

Mr Evely said the ability of the emergency services to attend an incident could be "seriously compromised" by the close parking.

Councillors have now agreed to introduce yellow lines on more than 300 metres of highway in the Huntington shopping and business complex by the end of this month. Officers will work with First York bus company to identify the minimum lengths of road that need to be cleared to allow buses to pass safely.

No-waiting yellow cones will be used to mark the areas until the permanent painting work can be done.

They have also decided to install a control barrier at Monks Cross Park&Ride site as soon as possible and to activate a £5 charge for people who do not use the Park&Ride service.

Anyone parking in the Park&Ride car park and using the shuttle bus to travel to the retail park will continue to pay a flat rate of £1.80 return.

The council's transport team is also looking for approval to contact all the employers at the retail park to encourage them to develop green travel plans.

Updated: 10:02 Friday, October 08, 2004