Time for a day of free parking

In Mary Portas’ recent television series about the revival of shops in failing town centres, the majority were pedestrianised. One of the factors contributing to Leamington town centre’s success is that cars can be driven down its main streets. I find it ironic that the success of the town’s independent traders should be celebrated by blocking the Parade, thereby emulating many of the town centres that Mary Portas is seeking to invigorate.

Would it not make sense if the celebrations took place on the town’s village green, namely the Pump Room Gardens?

It is time surely for a weekly ‘traffic day’ on a Sunday in Leamington’s town centre when all parking charges and restrictions will be lifted? Double yellow lines should also cease to be mandatory on that day.

This will at least enable the town centre to compete for one day only on equal terms with the Leamington Shopping Park where its success is mainly due to an abundance of free and unlimited car parking.

Richard Lemburger, Clarendon Square, Leamington