CWAC’S decision in favour of parking charges in Northwich is just the opposite of the ‘sensible and careful’ approach which they claim.

Most importantly, they fail to understand that car parking is not subsidised in the true meaning of the word since it is an important contributor to the wealth of the town, and in this way it more than pays for itself.

Parking charges can be used as a management tool to help provide appropriate parking with different time availability on different sites - but this can often be achieved without charging since time limits are usually sufficient to over come any apparent demand problems.

Such limits will obviously vary from car park to car park.

Charging for car parking everywhere as an overriding and inflexible policy is totally mistaken, particularly when the contras are taken into account.

The major contra is the almost certain negative on Northwich’s town centre trading, prosperity, and retail/commercial property occupation - all of which support the cost of parking provisions.

On this point it is important to take note of the significant increase in footfall in the town centre since the opening of Barons Quay, and that an official spokesman for CWAC has stated, on the record, that ‘this is largely due to the 900 free parking spaces which have been provided’.

Do not under estimate the effects of what the council may call ‘moderate’ charges.

A small survey among personal contacts suggests a significant reduction in visits to the town centre - and even to supermarkets and store car parks should they be obliged to charge.

And, make no mistake, whilst they remain free they will always undermine any charging policy the council may have for its own car parks.

Charging, particularly for shopping visits, would have a severe detrimental effect on future lettings on the high number of empty units on Barons Quay.

It will also have an effect on existing traders in the market and towards Weaver Square, where there are also so many voids.

Considering all these points, there is no overall case for the introduction of a wide-ranging blanket charge policy in the way that the council are apparently proposing.

The economics are doubtful and the negative consequences almost certain.

J Ethell Wincham