CONGRATULATIONS on the Gazette's leading article highlighting the threatened increase in car parking charges in Devizes.

I know that many people have been highly critical of the district council's policy on car parking, but still they don't seem to understand that the commercial life of the town depends not only on people living within walking distance of the shops but also those who live in the surrounding areas.

The only way most of us can come and use the very good shops and amenities in Devizes is to travel by car, we don't all have convenient public transport.

The removal of so many parking spaces from the Market Place was carried out immediately after a public consultation.

We have not been given the results of this yet, but I suspect that opinion was very much against this reduction, however, lines were drawn on maps and it went ahead anyway. A bit like the removal of the trees really.

Users of the Corn Exchange, the town hall and the cinema all struggle for parking places, particularly in the evenings.

There are more empty shops now in the centre than I have ever seen before. Is this the council's aim?

Contrast this with Trowbridge and Chippenham among other places that have free parking and Marlborough's extensive parking in the High Street will inevitably draw shoppers away.

We have to get the council to listen to us and improve parking facilities, reducing charges rather than increasing them.

Even this Government has changed its policy on car use, so surely Kennet District Council can do the same?

MRS J SAVAGE

Dial Close, Seend