FURTHER to your article exposing the decision of Durham county, Wear Valley district and Bishop Auckland town councils to continue to do nothing about the parking blight and traffic flow problems of the town centre area (Echo, some editions, Oct 29), it is disingenuous of councillors to state that parking restrictions will only make matters worse when it was their action in applying car parking charges which caused the problem in the first place.

We have the charges now, and I doubt they will go away, but to suggest those who travel to Bishop Auckland to work are not affected by the problem is ridiculous.

Residents have also spoken to those who park and do not use the car parks. In almost every case, cost is the reason given for not using the designated parking areas.

Traffic congestion and difficulty in parking is the prime reason for shoppers going elsewhere to shop; town centre traders know that only too well. Ask how much their trade suffered when Asda moved from the Newgate Centre to an out-of-town location with free parking.

It can only be remedied when voter apathy is turned into actual votes against councillors who claim to support their interests, but vote for contrary policies after the election.

John Inskipp, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.