Sir, – I agree wholeheartedly with Kate Empsall (D&S letters, August 1) that our council should have the vibrancy and future of Northallerton High Street at heart.

We too were in Northumberland a few weeks ago and were overjoyed to experience the bonhomie of locals and traders there, all of whom were, along with us holidaymakers, enjoying the benefits of free parking.

We were in a prime tourist hot spot and yet the council handle its budgetary affairs so well that there is free parking in their market towns, both large and small, and seaside areas too. Isn’t it ironic that they are not out to make money from the locals or tourists ,when our council is penalising locals daily, and discouraging visitors from returning to our lovely area?

In addition, public toilets, with clear signage, and easy access, abounded. Both of these factors encouraged us to browse, shop, visit eateries and spend money. We were keen to return, just as we used to enjoy relaxed browsing and spending in our own town, before these ill-thought-out schemes.

I cannot believe that our council is continuing to take such backward steps. I now, like many others I know, visit town less and less.

The county town of North Yorkshire is apparently too poor to keep our original, sensibly-placed, easilyaccessed, well-maintained toilet block, and too poor to keep plenty of two-hour free parking, not to mention too inept to get the new scheme signage right first time.

There must be a rethink now.

Perhaps our council should be “twinned with” a Northumberland town council with good sense.

ANGELA SELLERS Appleton Wiske, Northallerton.