THOSE Herald readers who live in the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park will shortly have a very special privilege withdrawn from them. No longer will they be able to apply for a special permit to park for free in the car parks run by the authority.

Some might say why should they? Is it not privilege enough to live within the national park, never mind be given special treatment in the form of a financial bonus. But if village shops, post offices and outlets are to survive, they need the support of the people who live around them.

The national park authority can point to a tightening of its belt imposed by the government and a need to generate revenue wherever possible. And the cost to residents, just £30 for unlimited, year-round parking is hardly excessive.

But the portents are grim. Craven District Council started in much the same way. Its charge to residents was just to cover administrative costs. But, with accelerating pace, the cost of permits for Craven residents parking in Skipton began to rise. This year the proposal was to put it up by 50 per cent.

We don't think for one minute that £30 is going to stop local people using shops in places like Grassington (where traders have fought long and hard to keep free parking on the village square). But in 10 years time the national park will look increasingly at its car parks as a way to squeeze more money out of motorists, whose presence in the national park is already somewhat frowned upon.

We wouldn't mind a little bet that the £30 charge today has broken the £100 barrier in 10 years' time.