I visited York twice, for two family reunions earlier this year, and parking the car was expensive, so expensive that I did not see all that I wanted - I was born in the city centre, but could not sightsee or even look in the shops, both visits became a scramble to get things done and return to the car park in time.

There were plenty of places in the car park, and lots of people hurrying off or back to their cars.

I suspect that town centre businesses have also noticed a reduction in customers.

The town where we stayed, an hour's drive from York, has a very different approach. During the week parking cost us a trifling amount, on Saturday it was free, so we wandered round the market and town centre and did some shopping.

Anne Croucher