THE Evening Press Stop The Highway Robbery petition was being handed over to City of York Council today - boosted by hundreds of signatures collected at a city centre department store.

Graham Audus, manager of Supersave in Fossgate, said customers had given overwhelming support to the petition, which calls on the authority to scrap evening and on-street parking charges, get rid of unnecessary yellow lines and review daytime charges.

"I don't think the council has grasped just how upset people are," he said.

"They need to get rid of the night-time charges and daytime charges must be reduced."

He said the authority needed to address the issue as a matter of urgency. "They cannot pussy-foot about on this."

Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, who was due to receive the petition this afternoon, has said it will be taken into account by officers currently conducting a comprehensive review of parking charges and restrictions.

A report from officers, which campaigners hope will recommend major changes to charges, is due to go to councillors later this month.

Updated: 10:57 Monday, September 06, 2004