WITH major stores leaving the town centre and empty units, you would think the council would do everything possible to encourage visitors and shoppers.

Not so in Bournemouth where the council have just increased parking charges by a massive 25%. Presumably they think the extra cash will solve their budget problems. The only good thing is there are plenty of empty spaces now!

Although, looking at the cranes dotting the skyline, thousands of new flats and bulging student population the town should be flush, just where does it all go? Certainly not in my road which has not been swept or weeded for at least a year. At one time we had weekly bin and free garden waste collections, we seem to be paying more for less.

PETER BULL

Albemarle Road, Winton, Bournemouth