IF, AS Cllr Vernon Smith suggests in your article of March 6, the people of Cirencester are tired of traffic congestion, the answer is simple: give away or sell blue parking discs in newsagents and other outlets in the town.

Shoppers who are just ‘popping in’ to pick up a few items then have enough time to satisfy their requirements, while supporting the town’s smaller businesses and not having to pay the ‘Don’t visit Cirencester’ fees demanded in the town’s car parks.

If, however, the intention is to pollute the town with unsightly and costly urban furniture – notably parking meters – (why not plant some trees instead?) and make lots more money for Cotswold District Council while propelling small businesses to Witney where parking is free, then the plan should be pursued.

Anne Woolmer

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