The new car parking charges are outrageous. Somerset and Dorset councils do not find it necessary to charge such exorbitant amounts, so why does EDDC?

The new car parking charges are outrageous. Somerset and Dorset councils do not find it necessary to charge such exorbitant amounts, so why does EDDC?

There are two points I would like to make. Firstly, EDDC says that a majority of respondents to their online survey were in favour of an increase in charges; what they do not mention is what that number was. If I remember correctly, it was in the region of 173 replies. Nor did the survey mention the amount of increase proposed.

I replied to the survey and I certainly did not agree with any increase. If the council wishes to conduct such a survey they should be more open about it and publish it in the newspaper so that a wider range of people have an opportunity to participate.

Also, it should publish the full results in the newspaper - not hide behind some vague and weak statistics. The number of people that did respond is hardly representative of the population of East Devon

My second point is that, a few weeks ago, Councillor Roger Giles proposed that users of the car park at EDDC offices at Knowle should pay either 50p (bringing in �26,000) or �1 (bringing in �52,000). This was apparently turned down by the other councillors. We shall remember that when it comes time to vote!

Why shouldn't users of the Knowle car park pay what is a very reasonable charge for a day's parking? We would all be very glad to pay 50p an hour, let alone 50p a day. It would have been right for EDDC staff to pay a charge so, at least, we, the council tax payers, would feel that the council was being fair to all and taking a share in the responsibility themselves for the difficult economic situation we are in.

I, like other people, shall certainly cut down my shopping visits so, sadly, the shopkeepers will lose out.

Mrs D Nason

Colyford