WITH reference to the controversial introduction of car parking charges in the council car parks in the Forest of Dean, perhaps our council should examine a scheme which is in place in the Borough of Maidenhead and Windsor. Residents within the borough are issued with an 'Advantage Card' free of charge. This enables the residents to insert their card into the parking machines and they are given the first hour free and subsequent hours at 30 pence. The card also enables residents to have free entry to Windsor Castle and all museums within the borough and a discount at Legoland.

Since most parking in the car parks in the Forest of Dean is short term – surgeries and a quick dash to the local shops – this would take out a lot of the aggravation when people parking for a short term have to fiddle about looking for change.

Another alternative, similar to the way council taxpayers will be paying for green bin collection of £26 per annum (50p per week) from July, is to issue a 'Free Parking' sticker for all council car parks to all households in the Forest of Dean for an annual fee. Since we are told the cost of maintaining the car parks is £162,000 a year, I would envisage an annual charge for those households who wish to take it up of about £5 per annum and an additional £1 per extra car, for those households with more than one vehicle, and ring-fenced for the purpose. This could be easily administered through normal council tax collections, or in the same way green bin collections are paid for. Any shortfall could be made up by a moderate car park charge for non regular users from within or outside the area.

Also, if this initial flat rate fee proves to be over or under the amount needed to maintain our car parks, price adjustment up or down could be rectified the following year.

The introduction of car parking charges should not be seen as a 'Cash Cow' by the council, like speed cameras have become.

The one thing we do not need is for our council to engage the services of 'consultants' which will cost more than the car parks themselves. Surely we should have enough bright sparks within the council to devise the operation of either scheme to the benefit of council taxpayers within the Forest of Dean? May I suggest our council makes contact with Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council to find out exactly how their car parking scheme operates, and use their blueprint if fair car parking charges are to be introduced here, if using this suggestion.

I am in no way agreeing with the introduction of a car park fee within the Dean. Even Gloucester City Council has reduced their fees to attract town shopping, but this is my effort to make it as painless as possible for local people. I daresay our councillors will find out exactly how popular a deed is the introduction of any car park charges at all come the next local elections. They should remember that Foresters' memories of an injustice are not short term.

– Edward Kynaston, Primrose Hill, Lydney.