AT the annual parish meeting on May 22, residents of the West Dean parish area voted to reject the district council's imposition of parking charges at its car parks, and requested the parish council to reaffirm its opposition to the charges at its next meeting on May 29.

At that meeting West Dean Parish Council voted to reaffirm its objection to these charges.

The parish council has always opposed these charges, and their effects are now in evidence, with car parks only half full and shops in Lydney and Coleford closing. Car parking has been observed on pavements.

Journeys for shopping and for medical, social and recreational purposes, for residents of small communities where services are not available are being heavily taxed. This issue has not gone away, and the district council is urged to think again.

– Dave Kent, Clerk, West Dean Parish Council.