With time running out before the new car park charges are implemented at the end of the month, I have written again to Cllr Page (the Lead Councillor for Transport) appealing to him to re-think these charges which could seriously damage trade for local shopkeepers in Tilehurst. Last month I helped the traders present a petition with over 2,200 signatures to Cabinet as the council was planning to do away with the free first hour parking in Recreation Road and Dunstall Close car parks.

This Labour Council says it wants to encourage local shopping centres but then hits Tilehurst with these car park charges. They have offered to keep just the first 30 minutes free but this is not enough for many elderly folk to do their shopping and they are a large percentage of local customers.

The council just does not see the potential losses for traders in The Triangle if shoppers prefer driving down to Sainsbury’s rather than using local shops.

This is no way to encourage local businesses in the middle of a serious recession.