Your correspondent Angela Royle (Letters, October 24, 'Make parking free after 6pm') was concerned about a perceived lack of affordable parking in the local area to support the evening economy and those attending night-time events or meetings of clubs and societies.

Angela suggested in her letter that all car parks should be made free of charge after 6pm to "allow evening activities to thrive".

I couldn’t agree more, which is why all car parks operated by South Lakeland District Council are already free of charge after 6pm and have been for many years, so anyone attending evening classes, societies, choir practices or enjoying a visit to a restaurant or event can already benefit from free evening parking in our town centres.

We have long recognised the importance of supporting our evening economy and have resisted any temptation to introduce round-the-clock car park charges, as is the case with a number of councils.

To support our town centres we also offer some of the cheapest all-day parking on any council-operated car parks in the North West here in South Lakeland, with all-day parking available at just £1 on a number of our car parks, including in Kendal, Ulverston and Windermere.

I believe Angela was reacting to a report in the Gazette about Cumbria County Council’s aim to do more to enforce on-street parking restrictions in residential areas, where there have been problems with people ignoring resident-only parking rules (October 10, 'Parking blitz on the cards').

The report was referring to on-street parking, which is enforced by the county council, rather than car parks, many of which are run and subject to enforcement by South Lakeland District Council.

I hope this helps to clarify things and reassures Angela that we are already doing exactly as she has suggested.

Cllr Eric Morrell

Portfolio holder for customer and commercial services and people, South Lakeland District Council