Madam, As Councillor Bartrum chose to express his surprise in last week's Ross Gazette as to why I should object to 19 car park spaces being blocked off in the Swimming Pool car park (Red Meadow) in favour of the occasional visiting coach, I should like to comment further. Cllr Bartrum was incorrect to say that there was "not a single objection". I sent him a copy of my objection but he now tells me that I am the ONLY person who does not support his idea.
The fact that the Swimming Pool car park is rarely full is simply down to it being the most expensive in Herefordshire. Basic economics. Local shoppers and workers are the life blood of this town (not the occasional coach party) and if they can't park in the street or don't wish to pay £2.80, they will go to Morrison's or Sainsbury's where the parking is cheap or free but voluminous. Independent shops contribute far more to the local economy than do supermarkets and if they close down the loss of rates is far greater than the income generated from any car park.
The town's public car parks should be cheaper, simpler rates and more attractive to local shoppers and workers. The town will stay alive. You won't see many spaces in the £1 or 80p all day parks.
But let's welcome the tourists too. Here is a photo taken on January 21st of the Homs Road car & coach park. Its 14 coach bays stay empty because "coach companies complain about access". Come on, Cllr Bartrum, surely it's not that difficult to work out a better plan to allow coaches through a barrier erected by the council? Blocking off 19 car spaces in the town's most central car park is madness! But apparently, I am the only one who thinks so.
Andrew L W Meek, Ross