I THOUGHT that town car parks were there to encourage us not to park on the street. With the increase in charges and the night time and Sunday charges introduced, it would seem that our local "powers that be" are unable to fathom this very simple concept. (Car park protesters fight new charges, Standard, January 12) I am now seriously considering whether it is worth while adding extra cost to my attending evening societies and interests, as I shall only be parking for a maximum of two hours in the evening and this seems to be exactly what is NOT necessary in these difficult financial times. Going out for a meal in town can be a fairly expensive event anyway and to add another charge is daft.

Has the cost of policing the overnight and Sunday charges been factored into the equation?

Mary Portas categorically said that parking charges should be low in order to encourage the use of town centres. If I was visiting another town I would seriously consider whether the use of high parking charges was a discouragement to stay.

Our precious local town centre businesses depend on people, visitors or locals, wanting to spend time here and maybe spend money.

These charges are a great way of killing off the high street, providing more empty premises and therefore a loss rents or rates, as well as degrading the whole town centre.

I understand that the local council is struggling with finances, but if we are going to sustain a town worth coming to, we must encourage people to use it.

Please, please can we have a little common sense in all this? I am sure that we all know towns that have dead town centres. Don't let this happen to Cirencester.

JANET TOWILL Duntisbourne Abbots