By suggesting the council offers "free parking" is a wonderful, emotional request, but without offering "free" copies of your publications as well smacks of blatant hypocrisy.
There is no such thing as "free parking" just like there is no such thing as a "free NHS" or "free off-peak bus rides". One does not need to be an accountant to understand that anything offered to a group of people free has to be paid for by another.
The most popular car parks are the most convenient and secure. That convenience and security has to be maintained and that costs money.
Just as we find with our homes, car parks need maintenance, unless you have the magic formula which deems otherwise.
Also compare the council's parking fees with the privately-owned car parks and the council actually offers good value.
I feel most motorists (who pay one seventh of all taxes according to the Association of British Drivers) would be far happier to see the price of their fuel (taxed to the hilt) and their Vehicle Excise Duty (retrospectively hiked up by Gordon Brown) drop before the cost of a few hours in a Calderdale car park.
"Free parking" makes an emotionally attractive point but ignores the fact that it also means our car parks would be full by 8am, with workers in our towns taking the spaces. Now I expect the small retailers in our towns would really want that!
And to think you have the nerve to question others on their decisions!
Coun Roger Taylor