Sir, – It is interesting that a number of letters to the D&S Times rightly refer to town centre car parking charges and its detrimental effect on town centre businesses.

Councils complain about out-of-town shopping centres and their effect on town centres. These naïve or stupid (or both) councils do not live in the real world. They keep increasing car parking charges in town centres and then complain that town centres are not attracting visitors.

How stupid are these councils? If they want to attract business to town centres then car parking should be free, or at least for a few hours.

Do these councils not see common sense??

MIKE TOWNEND

Neasham, Darlington