THE city council has taken a significant step in the right direction over parking charges in the evenings and on Sundays, but it is not enough.

The introduction of evening charges, in particular, has caused a real problem for businesses.

Previously, charging ceased at 6pm in the city centre, but now it continues until 8pm, so an early bird diner, or a person attending the theatre or a film, could face a charge of up to £3.50.

This is a significant sum. Traders say it has impacted on custom even in the few months it has been in place. It is easy to see why. The additional charge would constitute a large increase in the price of a cinema ticket and would wipe out much of the discount on an early evening meal.

At a time when traders are scrapping for every penny the extra charge has come as an unwelcome burden. In addition, independent traders, who are perhaps particularly vulnerable to changes in footfall, are key to the retail and leisure offer in Nottingham.

They need to be nurtured. If we lost them the city as a whole would suffer.

So, the city council's acknowledgement it got it wrong when it introduced the charge is important.

But the reduction in the fee to a £1 flat rate does not solve the problem. In key areas like Hockley the move introduces an unacceptable level of complexity.

In these places there is a one-hour maximum stay. Clearly, if visitors are having a meal or watching a performance an hour is not enough. Traders will have to buy booklets of parking permits to allow customers to stay the extra hour.

This is an unwieldly system, which will be difficult to communicate and from the businesses point of view it is a barrier to trade.

The council should be applauded for shifting its position but it needs to do more for the sake of the city's business community.