Sir.-Regarding the parking charges debate, I believe everything possible should be done to encourage shoppers and new shops into Festival Place.

Apart from the obvious comment that Festival Place car park is only ever full during the weeks before Christmas, perhaps a more enlightened parking policy should be adopted.

I feel the parking rates for the first three hours should be halved to encourage shoppers, and the all-day parking rate should be doubled.

That should increase overall revenue if indeed there are as many commuters parking in Festival Place as is alleged.

If overall revenue does not increase, it nails the excuse about commuters using the spaces and shows that greed is the motivation rather than shopper protection.

-John Frankel, Kingsclere.

Sir.-How does raising the price of parking for one to four hours deter commuters?

Aren't they people who take the train to London to work, leaving in the early morning and returning in the late afternoon?

Therefore, wouldn't a larger rise in prices for long-term (six hours-plus) parking be more effective?

Secondly, this rise is aimed at encouraging shoppers to come to Festival Place - how many shoppers do you know who haggle for an increase in price?

Thirdly, the comparison is made with Reading, which has a massively higher number of shops and retail outlets than Basingstoke. Has anyone actually done the comparison on this?

I would guess that Reading has double the number of stores (certainly in square footage) that Basingstoke has.

Finally, does the fact that it's almost Christmas, and the town will begin to become even busier than ever, have any bearing on the price rise?

Forgive me for being cynical but will the huge increase in revenue for the owners of the car park be given to charity or used for improving parking facilities in the town centre?

As a matter of interest, it wasn't long ago that the price to park was 60p for an hour. How I wish my salary would rise at the same rapid rates as parking charges.

-C Oxlade, Tollway, Chineham.

Sir.-The Gazette's recent picture of a lady paying her parking fees at the new rate made me think. Why the heck do we?

The paying public have to stand, sometimes 10 deep, often in pouring rain in a very windy narrow alley, usually in a large puddle of water, to get to the ticket machine, while others struggle to get past with pushchairs etc.

My car may be dry but I am often soaked through.

It is better and quicker to use the Allders/Anvil open-air car park where you can at least make a dash for it, knowing you have pre-paid on entry.

Joe Robertson's recent letter suggested we all live in the town centre, use public transport or buy property to park on if we wish to visit the centre, but not all of us could do this.

This person sounded very smug, as he lives approximately 300 yards from the centre.

-B Yalden, Hawthorn Way, Basingstoke.