I BELIEVE Rob Metcalfe, owner of Claire Metcalfe Florists, Bondgate, Darlington, deserves a medal, or at the very least a very big thank you, from all of us in Darlington – retailers and shoppers alike.

Without his outspoken onslaught against the council’s methodology, I really don’t believe we would be seeing any changes in the parking costs in Darlington, as reported on Wednesday (Echo, Sept 17).

Mr Metcalfe put his good reputation on the line when speaking out against the council and its parking fines and charges and now, after silence previously, we are getting some, if not all, of the help for which people have cried out.

Well done, Rob. Maybe you could stand and become a councillor at the next election – you’d have my vote.

Joyce Mead, Scholars Restaurant, Bondgate, Darlington.