I THINK Hyndburn Council's recent decision not to charge for car parking in Accrington was right. It persuades shoppers to come into town and, consequently, stores and shops benefit.

On the other hand, Blackburn is raising its parking fees, which must make people concerned.

The council and the Government seem hell-bent on getting cars off the road one way or another - be it by annual increases in road tax and petrol and maybe even with tolls levied on motorways or for access into city centres - all on top of MoT charges, repairs, etc.

Car parking charges are just one more burden to bear.

A Labour councillor said (LET, March 22) the aim was to discourage people who park too long taking up spaces required for shoppers and it was said Blackburn's charges would be lower than in many neighbouring towns.

I don't think they could be much cheaper than those in Accrington, which seems to have little difficulty finding parking spaces for shoppers, who can park for nothing for up to three hours.

K SOWERBUTTS (Mr), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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