THE parking charge fiasco is interesting, not least in what the council omitted in its statement to the BBC.

The council said that similar schemes operate in Bournemouth and Portsmouth.

Yet in Romsey, a few miles away, parking is free in the council’s short stay car parks after 4pm. Or if you park on a parking meter in Winchester, the first 30 minutes are free.

Councillor Rayment has stated these additional charges are required to repair our roads. If this is the case, why are other local councils able to provide a service to local residents and offer free parking?

STEPHEN MADDOCKS, Southampton.