THE last time that the subject of car parking charges came up in your columns, I resisted the urge to contribute to the discussion. This time I feel compelled to join in the debate. My wife and I have just enjoyed yet another holiday, driving in France, and have experienced exactly the same conditions as last year. Having visited and parked in innumerable cities, market towns and villages during our stay, there is still parking to be had in abundance and it did not cost one penny (euro) the whole time. In addition to the plentiful ?white? parking areas, the free ?blue zones? with the use of a parking disc in the most central areas of towns ensures a continuous turnover of short-term parking up to 90 minutes. I must conclude from this experience that these towns and cities actually welcome and encourage visitors, shoppers and holidaymakers alike. Opportunism and moneymaking do not seem to come into the equation. Imagine a toll-free Tavistock ? people would travel here from miles around! Barry Hodge Courtlands Road, Tavistock
