WELL done, Herefordshire Council, another brilliant decision with the proposal to raise the Merton Meadow parking charge with a whopping 67% increase from £3 to £5 per day (On-street parking charges on way? Hereford Times, July 30).
I would accept an increase is due, but I think an increase of 50p, taking the charge to £3.50 per day, would be acceptable.
Who in Hereford (councillors excepted) could afford to pay £5 per day? I would hazard a guess those requiring full-day parking Monday to Friday are mainly city centre workers, many of whom are on minimum wage levels of pay and for whom such a charge would have a devastating effect on already overstretched incomes.
We are a county town where, in many instances, public transport is not an option, leaving most people no choice but to travel by car. Which leads to another aspect, that of attracting visitors/shoppers to the city’s both old and new shopping centres.
If the aim is to entice visitors to linger and part with their cash, I doubt a £5 charge would prove much of an incentive or encouragement.
GRAHAM BURTON Carless Close, Hereford
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