SIR – On first reading, the report in the T&A (December 13) about on-street parking charges proposed for Shipley, Bingley, Keighley and Ilkley sounded like an early April Fool joke.

According to our wonderful Council, such charges will “stimulate trade by creating a higher turnover of customers” and is “essential to the promotion, success and vitality of town centre activity”. Really?

It seems to me that the report has been written simply to justify this unwelcome proposal. Indeed, if these proposed charges are such a great idea, and will stimulate additional trade, then why were they not instituted years ago? I think that we all know the answer to that one!

This is obviously a money-raising exercise that will do nothing but harm to our district towns. The current arrangements, giving free parking, often for one hour, has worked well. Applying charges for such stays will simply drive people away.

This ill-considered proposal should be consigned to the bin, where it belongs.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon