COUNCILLOR David Smith should re-read my previous remarks -- nowhere did I say or imply in my letter that charges would be introduced on all car parks in Darwen.

However, can Coun Smith guarantee that if charges are introduced on the three car parks proposed, they will never be implemented on the remaining free car parks?

Neither Labour councillor involved has come up with a shred of evidence to suggest that there is a car parking problem as a direct result of the free parking policy which has been in force since 1973.

The Labour group tells us that the question of charges was instigated by requests from traders and members of the public.

I asked Coun Warren Lishman for numbers, but I was told to ask the town centre manager or the markets manager. But he must be in a position to tell me himself -- otherwise, why answer that the number was 'considerable'? If it is, why keep it secret?

So I ask him again, how many traders, how many members of the public and how many Labour party councillors requested car parking charges before it was decided to put the issue out to consultation?

In his original letter, Coun Lishman claimed he couldn't find a parking space. In his latest (Letters, March 23) he says there are "numerous car parks in the town centre that are little used." Perhaps he and Coun Smith should ask if charges would provide one extra car parking space. The answer is, it won't and, that Coun Smith's 20p charge will rise year on year until the charge is the same as in Blackburn.

Will they also say whether this proposal is a desire to have a town centre where there is never a need to drive around looking for a parking space, or whether it has anything to do with the regeneration budget being reduced by some £670,000 this year?

COUN KEVIN CONNOR (Liberal Democrat, Marsh House Ward), Elswick Street, Darwen.