Sir.-In putting together the proposals for evening and Sunday parking charges, has Basingstoke council considered the cost that this will give to those who go to church on Sundays, and the voluntary groups who use their buildings in the evenings?
There are several churches in the town centre - United Reformed, All Saints, St Michael's, St Mary's, Trinity Methodist Church, the Community Church - whose congregations will be adversely affected by the Sunday parking charges.
Many of these people are elderly or live in surrounding areas with poor public transport and have to come, or be brought, by car.
Also, in order to raise the Sunday and evening parking revenue in Eastrop Lane and Chequers Road, the council appears to be preventing parking, and waiting on the other side of the road, where it was previously permitted at those times. Will this not just drive cars onto surrounding streets when the paid-for areas are full?
There are youth organisations such as Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, sports and dance groups with young children who need to be taken to meetings in the churches. This is just a further expense for families who are trying to give their children some extra interests, and another expense for the leaders who give up their time for young people.
Basingstoke council has set up a "Compact" for working with the voluntary sector. This doesn't seem to be a positive step "to recognise and value the contribution that volunteers make to our borough" that is stated in the Compact document, nor to further other aims of this group.
The rationale for the charge seems to be others are doing it so we can get away with it. But the "others" are commercial organisations, whereas the council is supposed to be working on behalf of the people of Basingstoke.
If the council were to consider a 10 or 15-minute free period in the evenings, with tickets used to show expiry time, this would help the voluntary organisations.
It also seems the council has had a longer time than usual to consider this. If it was important enough to warrant extended private consideration, should it not warrant more than a shortened time for consideration by the public?
-Michael Parker, Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke.
Sir.-I attend Costello Technology College in Basingstoke and think the council's proposal to have pay and display on Eastrop Lane is a very bad idea.
Drivers who do not wish to pay are more likely to use Crossborough Hill (on which Costello school is sited) and its surrounding areas.
Crossborough Hill, around dropping off and picking up from school time, is becoming a very dangerous and sometimes scary road both for pedestrians and drivers.
On my first day of my first year, there were three accidents. At this point students are taking dangerous run-outs across the road as it is often the only means of crossing.
I only fear what may happen if drivers do find Crossborough Hill a cheaper means of parking.
-Name supplied, Popley, Basingstoke.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article