IF I may correct a few points that have been made in letters over the last few weeks.

Firstly it has been claimed that we traders are against parking charges. How does anyone know? 

Our family has various interests in shops in all three towns and none of us have ever been asked for our opinion.

Secondly, it has been said that when traders move out the council will lose business rates. This is incorrect. The landlord has to pay the rates once the property has been empty for three months, plus business rates go in the main to central government anyway.

Thirdly, it has been said that high car-parking charges are to blame for other towns' woes, this is not correct, it is usually the building of large supermarkets or out of town parks that kill local trade.

If the council had asked us, as active shop traders and shop landlords what we wanted, we could have suggested they do what the supermarkets do, free parking for two or three hours, then a highish daily charge.

Why do supermarkets do this? It means that each parking place generates five plus shoppers per day, while deterring those who park all day, often to catch the bus to Gloucester.

Obviously out of town permit provision for shop staff would be necessary, but Lydney has the overflow, Coleford has the old library area, Cinderford would need to find somewhere, but it desperately needs more parking spaces anyway.

– Dan Winter.