FURIOUS traders in a key York shopping street claim new car parking charges are "killing" trade .

Goodramgate businesses warned a promised six-month review would be too late for at least six struggling stores.

They called for charges to be slashed, amid warnings the historic area was fast becoming a "backwater for shoppers".

Speaking after an emergency meeting of traders yesterday, Simon Hall, who is part way through selling his Goodramgate business, said: "I'm selling up because of the drop in trade - I can't see any future for shops in York city centre."

He added: "Things have been declining for a few years, but parking charges are the final nail in the coffin."

Simon Evans, of The Canopy, said he was more than 30 per cent down in the last three weeks. He said unless there was a dramatic upturn soon he, and four other small shops, would be forced to quit.

Asked if parking charges - including new night tariffs alongside sky-high pay and display fees - were to blame, he said: "It's too much of a coincidence that everyone else is suffering. It's been a difficult two years, but the parking charges are the final straw."

Shop owners called for urgent action on parking, with restaurateurs complaining early evening trade had been hit after night and on-street charges were introduced.

One angry trader said: "You are killing us by charging the people who live in York too much.

"People who voted you in are angry. Some people are not going to survive unless you do something."

Carole Clark, of Xes gift and adult shop, said she made £6.80 in one day's trading last week.

Mr Evans said: "This is terminal. This is not light-hearted joking. Some people are going to go bust, simple as that."

Yesterday's meeting also heard businesses call for a series of crowd-pulling steps, including:

A total traffic ban in Goodramgate from the Cross Keys pub, with a rising bollard providing emergency and limited morning access

resurfacing to remove curbs so the street could be pedestrianised, allowing pubs, bars and restaurants to put tables in front of their premises;

more drop-off points for Park&Ride buses, not just Parliament Street.

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, May 25, 2004