I WRITE regarding the article ‘Parking permits cost is slashed’ and would like to respond to the online comments which are critical of the cost of parking in Bournemouth Town Centre.

I would like to gently remind residents and visitors that since 2008 the council has frozen most car parking charges in Bournemouth and implemented a wide range of parking offers in and around the town centre at convenient locations.

The council offers two hours parking for just £1 at 18 car parks, as an example, this includes Richmond Gardens Multi Storey Car Park where shoppers and visitors can park for this price.

As a result we have seen an increase in the number of motorists using this car park, for example, between April and December 2011 there were 331,972 tickets purchased at this site – an increase of 10,000 compared to the previous year. For those who would like to stay longer in Bournemouth, we have a number of car parks where you park for up to 24 hours for £4.

Compared to other towns and cities, Bournemouth offers very competitive parking, and by working closely with the Chamber of Trade & Commerce and Town Centre Management Board we intend to continue with this approach.

COUNCILLOR MICHAEL FILER, Cabinet Member for Transport & Technical Services