RE the new parking charges set to be put in place in Blackburn from the 5th of this month.

I am concerned with the comment made about the increases and contract permits.

I hold a contract permit. I was paying £3.50 a day to park as I work in the town centre (not as part of the council).

I renew my permit regularly and was told in March last year that my permit price was to increase from £90 per quarter to £95 or £350 for the year and accepted this as the normal due to inflation.

Shoppers who visit Blackburn still get a great deal on parking as I recently found out after visiting Preston. They charge almost double to park including £8 to park for the day or £5 to park for four hours, which is much more than Blackburn with Darwen Council charges.

Preston also charges for parking on Sundays and bank holidays unlike Blackburn.

I really feel that a huge deal is being made over a 20p increase to car parking when surely there is much more important news.

Lastly you state that council employers should find other means to get to work.

Is this just because they work for the council or would that mean the likes of myself and you who work in Blackburn should do the same?

I am not well paid as an office worker and would find using public transport very difficult and feel that just because I work in Blackburn I am being penalised.

Most other councils would provide parking for employees who work in the town centre, but this council obviously puts its visitors first. I think its time we left the whole parking thing alone. It is starting to get very dull.

If shoppers can't afford an extra 20p then maybe they should use the bus.

KAREN TIMPERLEY (via email).