HOORAY!

At last there is good news regarding parking charges. Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley and Nailsworth were under the threat of having free parking facilities withdrawn.

Had this happened it would have had a disastrous effect on shops and businesses in all three of our small but important towns.

Those responsible for fixing parking changes in our area need to wake up and smell the coffee!

Within easy reach of my front door are Cribbs Causeway, the Swindon Orbital and outlet centre as well as the attractive West Oxfordshire town of Witney.

This is easily reached via the A40.

Splendidly situated free car parks make the West Oxfordshire town a delight to visit.

All our car park revenue graspers should go there, note its popularity and prosperity, return to their committee rooms and think of reducing parking prices, or indeed abolishing them.

To aid them in their decision making they should take a hard look at their own areas.

Are there not a least 12 empty shops in Merrywalks in Stroud?

An increasing number of shops are closing in Cirencester.

Look at parking charges and ask yourself if this is a coincidence?

Mrs Light and I are of the Golden Generation, with final salary and index linked pensions.

Now we find ourselves with more spending power than we ever anticipated and of course more time to enjoy shopping expeditions.

What we want are enjoyable, hassle free expeditions.

You can guess where we go.

The reprieve for our free parking areas must not be temporary.

It must be part of a widespread attempt to establish policies that ensure the Witney factor spreads west into our own adjoining county.

At least in the Stroud area a start has been made.

Let us hope it is just the start!

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