YORK'S car parking charges have been one of the highest in this country for years. This latest increase by the so-called custodians of the city - the councillors - is a disgrace and daylight robbery (Evening Press, March 5).

York is a popular place with foreign visitors and long may it be so. However, these visitors arrive by public transport and this increase will not affect them.

But its popularity with British and local visitors such as myself, who rely heavily on the car, will wane very quickly now the 'fat cats' are pouncing on easy prey, that is the motorist, once again.

I feel sorry for the city traders who probably pay extortionate rates.

I for one will not be bringing my custom to you any more.

J Barker,

Westend Close,

North Duffield, Selby.

...THE York Ornithological Club has met in central York since its foundation about 35 years ago.

At present the annual subscription costs £15 which covers ten monthly meetings, with an excellent variety of speakers, and the production of an annual report detailing the birdlife in the York area.

The advent of evening parking charges will add £32 to each member's annual outlay. The proposed Park & Ride facility is to end at 9pm, and our meetings finish at about 9.30pm.

Like many other small organisations which cover a wide variety of cultural activities we are being priced out of central York by this tax on leisure, and we are now actively seeking a peripheral venue.

Maybe the council prefers the city centre to be populated in the evenings by out-of-town binge-drinkers to keep the police occupied and the taxi-drivers in business.

Shame on you.

Julia Lawson,

Main Street,

Knapton,

York.

...YOUR report about the city council executive meeting refers to "scores of angry York churchgoers" protesting about the parking changes (March 3).

We are not angry about this matter but are concerned at the difficulties which we, and of course many others, will experience.

I spoke for St. Michael-le-Belfrey Church and said we were grateful for the concessions which have been granted on a Sunday.

Of course we do not expect the whole scheme to be changed for our benefit.

But the problems facing our week night young peoples' groups - and other youth groups - remain and we are asking the council to work with us to overcome these problems.

I told the meeting youth work is vital for the benefit of society and I understand that the Government is encouraging everyone to provide better access to facilities for young people.

All we want is this to be translated into action.

Ian Anderson,

Woodlands Grove,

York.

Updated: 10:43 Friday, March 12, 2004