As a local Conservative councillor I believe the council’s parking restrictions are having a detrimental effect on our shops.

 In difficult times we should work together to ease the burden on businesses and residents.  A motion passed in full ouncil last December agreed to support local shopping areas by investigating introducing a 20-minute free parking policy in the council's car parks and marked bays.

The response from this investigation was that there are already a number of 30- minute free parking places available and to allow 20 minutes free parking would be impossible to enforce.

At the council meeting on Thursday, May 7, a further motion in support of local retail/business with a suggested amendment by Cllr Alan Siggers and me for this issue to be re-visited was debated.

Despite suggestions given by myself and fellow Conservatives for solutions to the challenges this policy might pose, there was neither support nor plausible argument against a re-investigation (except to suggest that people should cycle or use the bus) from any Labour/Lib Dem councillor other than the statement that there are already 30 minute bays in existence.

Despite this they all chose to vote against our sensible amendment.  I believe most people would prefer to shop locally.

However, it cannot be justified when it can take longer to purchase and display a parking voucher than to complete the shopping trip.

The number of free car parking spaces is woefully inadequate and cycling or using the bus is not always convenient or practical.  I feel that support for this motion was not given due to party political differences.

This issue should not be about party politics.

Our focus should be on helping the very people we were all elected to represent.

Jemma Hemsted, Valley Ward