SIR
The local authority has banned HGVs from using the Cattle Market car park.
Reasons given range from the tarmac not being able to accommodate these types of vehicles due to the fact that they are 'churning' up the surface, to the basic 'we don't want them in town' or 'they may drop the trailer and cause damage'.
Well, isn't it funny that a TV production company can pre-book the entire car park and shove it full of HGV that drop their trailers for days on end? But then it was revenue, nothing out of the norm we doubt, but revenue nonetheless; especially throughout Friday and Saturday when the Blestium Street car park is occupied by the market. Many visitors gave up and went to neighbouring towns.
Furthermore, to permit this, the 'In' barrier that provides an entrance to the car park was opened in such a way that vehicles taking advantage of this were forced to exit via the entrance side. This encouraged dangerous driving.
Each and every one of the truck drivers that used the facility stated that they were more than willing to pay an overnight charge, for which the ticket machines could be easily modified.
While they were there, they prevented joyriding, which is a nightly occurrence, and told people to pick up their litter. They also contributed to local businesses by spending money in town. Overall, they were a good, polite company.
There is no evidence of surface damage and, as council employees advised when digging through to install barriers and bollards, the car park surface is better than that of motorways. They knew; they struggled to break through.
What is wrong with this town?
P and JA Ramsden
(The Gate House)