BEING a parish councillor we have great difficulty at times implementing the rights of common land, and the use of vehicles and public using the land as they wish in our parish.

So the present car park on New Road, Kendal conflicts with that, and with my councillor's hat on it should be stopped.

On the other hand we want the town to prosper, and so letting vehicles park on New Road allows the public access to shops cafés and various establishments in the town, and it means workers in the town can get to work, and keep the town flourishing without having to fork out hundreds of pounds on parking to just be at work in Kendal

I think the main problem for the council is not the safety of the car park, as it is claiming, but the thought that cars are being parked in the town and no revenue is going into the coffers of the council. If a car park could be found to accommodate the 200 cars that currently park on New Road site in the centre of town and they could make money from the parking there would not be this argument about its use.

So how do we get round the problem? Firstly do we want the town to flourish and do we want visitors to come and not feel ripped-off for parking for perhaps just an hour, while they make a visit to the town, or do we want visitors to come and look at a nice garden area next to the river, which has cost thousands to construct (and maintain), but has deprived them and locals the opportunity of a free parking space for their visit?

I can remember when that area used to be the parking area for the heavy lorries before the time of the M6, and then it was a busy place at six in a morning and six at night when lorries parked and left without any complaints of safety - and the town prospered from the drivers.

I think in the end the council should consider whether spending thousands on a garden (that will finish up being an eye-sore, and may get trashed by youngsters) is more important than spending money on local services, like libraries, youngsters' facilities, old people's homes, street cleaning and facilities that are important to the local community.

I know it is classed as common land, but some times common sense must prevail, and the council should look after its own before being pressured by 'the open space brigade' to convert the land to public gardens.

If they have all that money available to spend on converting the land, why are we being told regularly that they can’t afford various projects that would help communities in the town and surrounding areas?

“At this time of austerity”, seems to crop up whenever money is required. Let’s tarmac the New Road car park, spending less money, and let the locals feel wanted in their own town.

Jim Bownass

Crosthwaite