I FEEL it's time we took a look at ourselves after reading the letters page, particularly the letter from a district councillor, who wants to make Mitcheldean a special case.

I live outside Newent and park in the car park by the lake. Before charges were introduced the car park was full of what looked like local people because the cars were usually the same ones. After they were introduced it's now easy to park, lots of space and 20p after all is nothing. If you can afford to drive at current fuel prices, you can afford 20p for an hour.

If the people of Mitcheldean won't use the car park because of the charge then surely that says something about the people? If folk will truly drive elsewhere at £1.30 a litre then wouldn't it make sense to put the charge up to a higher level?

Time to see sense, the councillor claims it's not democratic. Why? Presumably because he didn't win.

If all the car parks were used sensibly the costs would stay low and there would always be spaces available. Shopping locally is still the best option, support your local shop.

Ben Jones

Newent