Parking equality I THINK it's fair to say we all like to be treated fairly and equally and not discriminated against because of the colour of our skin, our religion or culture, etc etc. With here there is so much inequality in the world, it was welcoming to read on the Wiltshire Council website with the slogan "where everyone matters" that they are indeed like-minded.

I found myself reading, and I quote: "The council is firmly committed to the principles of equality and inclusion in both employment and the delivery of services. We are keen to celebrate the diversity of people who live and work in Wiltshire."

I was therefore amazed to read your front page article entitled "Parking sham" where local businessman Michael Lojko – who owns and runs the Old Sweet Works antique store in Church Street, Trowbridge – diligently pays £160 per year for the privilege of parking in Lovemead public car park, and has done so for the last 15 years. Yet council employees are now parking there for free.

Is this fair? Is this equal? Treating one person differently because he or she is not employed by the council surely is discrimination. Even worse, discrimination paid for by me and you the council tax payer.

If the council fancies doing a bit of discriminating then why can't they discriminate in favour of the town's business owners like Mr Lojko? Let him park for free and council workers pay.

Mr Lojko is doing his bit to ensure that we have some diversity in the shops that we visit. People like him need to be given incentives from the council to ensure he continues to trade and has a positive impact on the economy of the town and makes Trowbridge a more colourful, interesting and diverse place to visit. We have enough empty shops here already.

Apparently all is well though because, in justification of allowing council staff to park for free at the council tax payers' cost, Philip Whitehead, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways, states in the same article: "We hope it will be a boost for local businesses as many members of staff will now walk through the town on their way to and from work."

I think if Mr Whitehead replaced the word "boost" with "kick in the teeth", he may have been closer.

Equality? I think not.

Patrick Godfrey Staverton