Free parking alone won’t rescue the high street

SIR – Allowing free parking in small towns is not the way to save the high street (Letters, July 20). They are all dead already, thanks to local councils giving planning permission for companies to build out of town.

Great Yarmouth is a prime example. After shopping there for years, I now feel I should just go to my favourite supermarket and come home.

Brenda Kelsey

Ludham, Norfolk SIR – Combine a lack of accessible free parking with high rents and decreasing footfall due to internet shopping and it comes as no surprise that small shops find it hard to survive.

Many councils are only interested in raising revenue and are not concerned about the viability of the shops or the survival of their high streets.

Liz Beaumont

London SW19 SIR – Town centre parking restrictions should prevent people from parking all day, thereby taking spaces meant for shoppers and short-term visitors.

This strategy is already in operation in some towns, with the first period free for, say, two hours. You still need a ticket, which is free for parking up to the specified time limit.

Stephen Gledhill

Evesham, Worcestershire SIR – Revenue from town-centre parking charges helps to make up the shortfall when central government sees fit to cut local authority funding.

However, here in Kings Lynn, we are acutely aware of the detrimental effect such charges can have on the town centre and its retail activities. In light of this, parking charges have remained static for two years and free parking is available in 20-minute slots in a central car park.

I believe that, with the support of heritage organisations and enlightened officers and councillors, we can bring our wonderful towns back to life.

Avril Wright

Snettisham, Norfolk