Sir, Many of us in Abingdon have been concerned that our car parks are full but there seems to be few visitor shoppers Monday-Friday in Abingdon town centre.

The reason, I have discovered after talking to the Vale council and car owners, is that 400-500 South Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire county council workers, coming singularly in cars, are filling up all the spaces since the fire.

The two-hour free parking scheme to help our traders is thus totally undermined. It seems to me that a few coaches hired could solve this problem. The shopkeepers, I think, would be justified in demanding a rate repayment while this lasts.

Sheila Hambleton
The Bridge
Abingdon