CAN I add a personal update to Brian Tilley’s commentary about the problems of car parking in Hexham (Talking Point, August 7)?

The town council has monitored car parking over the last year and made improvements. It will no doubt continue with this.

From the current parking situation that local business people are complaining about, there will be a change in the big Wentworth car park. Around 220 spaces, a western slice, currently free all-day, will be up to four hours free.

This will happen shortly, and then the traders will see an improvement in footfall as visitors and shoppers find it easier to find somewhere to park.

Traders’ comments will be useful again when this has settled in. On a recent Saturday, when the Wentworth wasn’t full by 9.20am as it is on weekdays, the town was busy again.

This will also, at a stroke, satisfy the business employees who need to be in and out of the office in town to do their jobs, as well as more than double the availability of spaces in that zone.

The latest changes will benefit trade in the town, and make some jobs more secure and even increase job opportunities.

It’s this kind of sound, longer-term thinking that has to prevail.

COUN DAVE CLEGG

Hexham Town Council