SIR Together with representatives of other Monmouth organisations, including Councillor Chivers of Monmouth Action Group, I presented evidence at the public inquiry in January 1993 when the new Waitrose supermarket, supported by the Borough Council (now Monmouthshire County Council), applied to extinguish public footpaths crossing their car park. It was also when they said that the car park would be free for two hours irrespective of whether people were shopping at their store. Also the doctors' surgery would have eight additional free spaces. There was absolutely no reference in the Waitrose proof of evidence to the possibility of a change if the Council began charging in what remained of the town car parks. Also there was no reference to the fact that the council's development plans officer had made the same promise in 1992 but had bracketed in the sentence "except during such times as the council changes its free parking policy on adjoining car parks." Despite the Waitrose statement to the Monmouthshire Beacon that their car park had been the only free one close to the town centre, local people will know better, for parking at the Co-op supermarket – just over the road – is still free. I hope that shoppers will see the 1993 Waitrose promises for what they are worth. Unlike Monmouthshire County Council we have not lost all the documents from the 1993 inquiry and still possess a full set of records of the evidence given to the inquiry. They categorically show that the extinguishing of rights of way was thrown out by the Inspector, J. F. de Winton, who found in favour of the objectors. Stephen Clarke (Monmouth)