I read the Gazette's front page last week with disbelief regarding Kennet District Council's intentions to start changing the Market Place barely two years since work was completed on the last 'remodelling', and in so doing, remove the last parking spaces within that area.

Devizes is a ancient market town and still retains many family-owned businesses catering for customers within specialised niches, the likes of which cannot be found in Chippenham, Trowbridge, Calne or elsewhere to the north of the county.

Most of these are delightful shops that entice potential customers to go inside. Many parking spaces were lost during the last 'regeneration', much to the annoyance of shopkeepers and customers alike. People then had to look for on-road parking to go shopping, which is always difficult to find. Those on-road spaces left were then subjected to revised parking restrictions regarding waiting time, along with large amounts of kerbside parking reduced to make way for loading bays, most of which are nearly always empty whenever I venture into town.

People had to use the car parks a little more, not out of choice, but simply for somewhere to leave their cars whilst they supported the local businesses. What next? Kennet increase all the car parking charges.

Kennet may say it needs the revenue to balance the books, particularly seeing as it could "only" impose a five per cent increase in council tax this year. I believe the previous cost of 'regenerating' the Market Place ran to many thousands of pounds plus the upheaval for traders, the market, taxi companies and bus operators. This was our money from council tax etc.

But what is the ultimate goal? Will they finally be happy when everyone says that they've had enough of trying to park in the town, or are reluctant to pay high car parking tariffs?

If Kennet continues to pursue this relentless persecution of motorists, those motorists will say enough is enough and select another town to do their shopping.

Graham & Caroline Brown

Kingsley Gardens

Devizes