ANGRY traders and churchgoers in the area round an historic York street have won new concessions in their fight against city centre parking charges.

People working and worshipping in Micklegate have been up in arms over plans to introduce on-street parking charges in the area.

A campaign, led by postmaster Paul Abbott, claimed that Micklegate would be turned into a "ghost town" by the charges.

Leaders of churches in the area said worshippers would be put off if they had to "pay to pray".

A 1,500-signature petition opposing the plans was handed to last month's full meeting of City of York Council.

The council has now gone into retreat, introducing a 20p per 30-minute charge, for the first hour of parking, and wiping fees from 8am until 1pm on Sundays, so people can park and worship free.

Mr Abbott said: "We have got as good as we can get, there was no way they were backing down from these charges completely, so I am glad they have listened.

"I am still concerned about vulnerable people and those on fixed incomes. Twenty pence is nothing to some people, to others every penny counts."

Maggie Farrimond, business manager at the Rock Church, in Priory Street, said: "I am pleased they have stepped in the right direction and listened to what we have said.

"Congregations would have gone down if people had to pay to park."

Bill Woolley, the council's assistant director of environment and development, said he was not concerned the decision would trigger a rash of similar requests across the city.

He said: "Micklegate has special problems with shops closing and traders not being able to sustain a retail outlet.

"We felt it should receive special status."

Mr Woolley was unable to say how much the concessions would cost, but said it would be "in five figures".

He said the cost would be clearer when the concessions are reviewed in September.

Ward councillors Sandy Fraser Dave Merrett and Dave Evans had pushed hard to get the charges overturned.

Coun Fraser said: "No charges would have been the ideal, but this is a significant concession which I hope will ensure there is no further deterioration of the trading position in Micklegate."

Council transport chief Ann Reid said: "The traders had made their case sufficiently for us to look for a way forward."

The new rules will apply only to Micklegate.

Updated: 11:25 Thursday, March 18, 2004