Last updated 13:32, Thursday, 14 August 2008

I WAS very interested to read (Courant, August 1) that Tynedale Council has had the foresight to purchase the pair of bungalows fronting Haugh Lane to provide a rear access to the old swimming pool site in Gilesgate.

But I consider it is wrong to continue to market the whole site for residential use.

Surely it should recognise the unique opportunity this site provides to solve Hexham's town centre parking problems.

A multi-storey car park should instead be built on the Haugh Lane frontage with vehicular entrance/exit on to that road.

A lift could be incorporated giving pedestrian access to Market Street within a few yards of the Market Place, the Abbey and town centre shops, etc.

The Market Street frontage could then be developed for residential/commercial use.

If it then transpires Hexham has an excess of car parking provision, selected sites could possibly be sold off in Wentworth car park for leisure/commercial use thus recouping some of the costs.

DAVID WILLIAMS,

Stocksfield