I READ about the free parking in Coleford that is being offered in council car parks.

Initially I thought it was a good idea to encourage people to shop in Coleford.

On reading it a second time and also making a call to the council press release department to establish I was not mistaken, I realised the free parking amounts to precisely 6 hours from 12noon until 6pm(on a Friday, not even a Saturday).

Parking is normally free after 6pm and as the small retailers who could really do with extra trade all close before 6pm there will only be an opportunity for working people to shop at the supermarkets which stay open later any way.

Pointless exercise as far as I can see.

– Sally Twyman, Coalway.