CONTRARY to what Joyce Carter believes (Shuttle/Times and News Letters, May 1) I do regularly shop in Kidderminster and park on an almost daily basis, usually in the Swan Centre car park, where I rarely have a problem.

I do, however, recognise, that this is not a suitable solution for people with disabilities, such as her husband.

Parking at the ground level car parks is often extremely difficult, and we are working to improve that situation.

The town centre redevelopment will soon provide several hundred additional spaces and we have recently put nearly 100 extra spaces on street, including 30 for people with disabilities. These have been warmly welcomed by traders.

Also, plans are being considered to provide additional off-street spaces if those provided by the redevelopment prove inadequate.

We know it is difficult at present and we are addressing it.

The reason for allocating modest funds of £10,000 to encourage the occupation of small shops reflects what potential users have said. Namely, that commercial rents are too high and they are being asked to pay too much in business rates.

The business rate is set by the Government, not Wyre Forest District Council, and is outside our control.

No potential traders have cited poor parking as the reason for not opening in the town centre.

In fact, if my recent necessary, but unwelcome, experiences at Merry Hill, Stafford and Nuneaton are anything to go by, parking in Kidderminster compares quite favourably.

Finally, I am extremely perturbed by what Mrs Carter says about her husband's inability to renew his disability permit after so many years.

If she would like to contact me, I would be only too pleased to take this up to see if this unfortunate position can be resolved

HOWARD MARTIN

Wyre Forest district councillor,

Neville Avenue

Kidderminster