In the eyes of Mrs Fell (EA, November 1), no doubt this week's storms were caused by Swindon Council.

Certainly she seems to blame the council for everything else whether they are responsible or not.

The fact that there are no drivers for the Christmas Park-and-Ride is not the fault of the Council, but because of the general shortage of suitable labour.

This affects all industries and the problem is not unique to Swindon.

In a department store, as I experienced this week, one staff member can cover three tills, two being closed because of staff shortage. Unfortunately one driver cannot drive three buses.

I can understand the bus and coach operators who have run the Park and Ride for the last couple of years not wanting to take on extra commitments if they feel they might not be able to give a proper service. Rightly they give priority to their year round customers.

Even without the temporary ones, there is still a Park and Ride for those who want one, the permanent site at the Copse and there should have been a second one at M4 Junction 16 but for the delays caused by a neighbouring council.

As I know from experience, use of the Copse Park and Ride is growing month-by-month. Anything new inevitably takes time to build. If the car park had been full on the first day, Mrs Fell would probably then have complained that the Council had not made the car park big enough!

JOHN OWEN

Okebourne Park,

Swindon