I WAS surprised as you reported that Tavistock Chamber of Commerce is suggesting that parking meters be installed to overcome parking problems and trade in the town .

The answer to car parking and dwindling trade is surely the opposite, namely make all car parking free — at least for the first hour.

I base this on my experience of parking in Midsomer Norton, a town in North East Somerset of similar size to Tavistock, There, all car parking is free all day with the consequent saving of the cost of parking wardens and collection arrangements.

The town centre businesses are thriving, bringing extra revenue and employment to the town, notwithstanding one large supermarket on the edge of the town .

So why not try free parking in Tavistock for say a year and see, as I feel sure it will, the benefits !

Ian Silcox

Chaucer Road

Tavistock