THANK you “Crediton Courier” (January 12) for telling us that Devon County Council is looking at whether to charge for parking in Crediton High Street.

How must our High Street businesses feel when they read this.

January and February are difficult retailing months, they have been through two years of Covid restrictions and the additional costs of dealing with it.

Their current costs are rocketing whilst they try to keep down prices and households in crisis are struggling and trying to reduce their spending.

So, does Devon Country Council really think this is the time to raise the spectre of parking charges on the High Street?

At present we can park for 45 minutes, free-of-charge, whilst we shop.

This is a great attraction for the High Street and seems very fair.

Surely the imposition of parking charges would be very damaging indeed, not only for our businesses but for our whole community. 

We need to know more. Is this just an idea that will die a natural death?

What is this “consultation”? Who will be consulted, when and how?

Let us see a transparent and inclusive process. Will we see detail of proposed revenue set against financial damage to our community? Who will then decide and how will that be done?

Do we need to gently lobby our Councillors, write letters, sign a petition, call for a public meeting, walk the High Street with banners or glue ourselves to the lamp posts?

Who knows, until we find out what is actually going on.

Perhaps it will be enough, in the words of John McEnroe, to say to Devon County Council, “You cannot be serious”.

Nancy Murgatroyd

Hollacombe

Crediton