RE: Page one article in our Marlow edition.

I WAS surprised to see from an article in the November 29 edition that some Marlow traders are blaming the long overdue enforcement of existing parking regulations for a decline in trade.

As a regular shopper in Marlow, I am delighted that the blatant abuse of the parking regulations has been stopped – some local employees including shopkeepers and staff have enjoyed long-term “free parking” for many years.

The recent enforcement has released more spaces and ensured that they turn over more regularly making it much easier to shop in Marlow using one of the 50-plus one-hour spaces in the High Street; or the additional 35 two-hour parking spaces on the Causeway (at the bottom of the High Street), which should also be available for those who need longer parking.

In addition to the 80/90 parking spaces in the High Street/Causeway, there are more in West Street and Institute Road, and Marlow now has more free parking than any other town in the area, for which we should thank the local authority, as I believe it should make out town more, rather than less, attractive to the average shopper.

If someone wishes to stay for more time than the free parking available, it would not seem unreasonable for them to use the pay and display car parks.

Whilst I have sympathy for retailers who have seen a reduction in sales, I believe this is more likely to be as a result of the recession rather than an enforcement of regulations which has improved parking facilities for most.

A cynic may suggest it is the loss of all day free parking rather than sales which has upset some people the most.

Roger Povey, Bovingdon Green, Marlow.