I READ with interest the letter from Mr Phelps (May 10) regarding car park charges.

Any further increase in charges should be curbed before the town centre is a shadow of its former self.

Since decriminalised parking has been in force the car park budget must be at its highest ever.

I would like to ask the Director of Environmental Services what has been done with the thousands of pounds collected from these fines?

This money doesn't appear to have been spent on re-surfacing car parks or more parking spaces.

In fact, the parking has been reduced in Old Town in favour of residential properties. The fines collected could easily be used for whatever purpose the increased charges will now cover.

This would mean that car park charges would never need to be increased in the future.

A BAXTER

Swindon