Madam, Your correspondent, Alex Perry (Ross Gazette November 28th), is right to be concerned about the increased parking charges in Ross, however, this is just part of the problem.

I live four miles from Ross. My cars uses around 40p worth of petrol per mile and, with parking, a trip to Ross costs £3.80. I have a choice of three routes into Ross but whichever I choose I have to negotiate a succession of large potholes. Why would I bother when I can buy online, often with free delivery?

Herefordshire Council have been slow to grasp that high street shopping is in decline and town centres need radical change. Free parking might help halt this decline.

Equally worrying is how the council chooses to spend the money it raises. In the current economic climate most organisations cut most if not all discretionary spend. Despite this the council has spent thousands of pounds on new 'Welcome to Herefordshire' signs with the banal slogan 'Here you can'. It beggars belief.

Steve Davis, Bromsash