THE article in the Gazette's November 23 edition on parking in Devizes, and my own sources, tell me that the information given and the quality of the debate on the Area Transport Plan at the Chamber of Commerce AGM fell short of being open and informed.

I understand the district council must have a plan in order to win money from central Government to develop the/any plan.

What I saw in the information caravan which circulated a few months ago gave me a little hope for the future a rash of traffic lights and mini-roundabouts designed to give preference to public transport.

The plan appeared to have been based on statistics but I remain unconvinced that behind those statistics lay much understanding of the origins and destinations of traffic flowing through Devizes at peak hours, nor any analysis of the reason for the queues and delays at those times.

The total number of parking spaces in Devizes and their use gives a lie to the expectation that the town centre is commuter destination, especially for many who actually live within its boundaries.

It seems likely that the provision of bus lanes will ease the problems of congestion.

The town has the misfortune to be at the confluence of several major routes through the county and it is the commuter pattern to London, Swindon, Reading, Salisbury, Bristol and Bath which probably has more influence on congestion.

Even with the generous parking in and adjacent to the Market Square, the town suffers congestion because of illegal parking adjacent to the town hall and the north end of the Market Square, where video shops and fast food outlets open late.

For many others visiting the town centre, it is the convenience of short-term parking which makes it attractive.

A reduction of these opportunities will do little for trade in the town centre, into which few major high street names can be encouraged and where charity shops and low price retailers have a major foothold.

If town centre parking is to be discouraged for commuters, make the town centre parking short term two hours maximum and charge higher rates for long stay parking-over four hours elsewhere. I was recently paying £1.50 per day in Chepstow a price due to increase to £2 in January.

If businesses claim a genuine need for parking close to the town centre, then that has commercial worth for which companies should be prepared to bid in an auction of spaces.

Devizes is a poor town and anything that disturbs a fragile balance of activities in its centre will make it more impoverished.

NIGEL CARTER

Great Weston Close, Devizes