Sir, – How appalling that our local councils, just at a time when the economy is showing signs of recovery, should bring in new car parking charges to our market towns.

I refer to both Richmondshire and Hambleton council who have brought in new charges to Richmond and Northallerton – two of the principal market towns in the area for what can only be described as an attack on shoppers.

It tells me that our two councils are not interested in working with our local retailers in trying to ensure prosperity and survival of our market towns.

The market towns here in Richmondshire have no market town strategy, no tourism strategy and no town plans. They only survive because of either hard working business associations or town teams who constantly battle with town, district or county councils who have the “you can’t do that” attitude. Leyburn was promised a car parking review in 2011 and has never had it. Why?

This is an attack on shoppers who are now drifting to retail parks that have ample free parking spaces. There is soon to be one in Catterick Garrison which could contribute even further to the constant struggle for our local businesses to survive. Increasing car parking charges is a quick win to bring in extra revenue to the council coffers with little or no thought and it is one that will come back to haunt.

ANDY BROOK Middleham