IS Herefordshire Council trying to shut down the city centre?

Unlike many other forward-thinking councils, ours seems to be intent on causing mayhem for businesses with further rises in parking charges announced and proposals to charge for on-street parking (Hereford Times, July 30).

Do they not realise that this will drive the public away from our city centre?

Why not be brave; rather than spend an unconfirmed amount of money on ‘consultation’ and then almost £300,000 on new meters, be brave and scrap all parking charges. Let the locals and our visitors park for free, even if only for a short time.

The introduction of an hour (or two) of free parking would be a great incentive to shoppers to come and find out what the district has to offer and spend more time here. You would not be the first – Malmesbury, Nantwich, Knutsford, Crewe, to mention a few have seen great benefits from free parking for the first two hours.

Hereford deserves better.

RAY WESTON Stretton Sugwas