FOLLOWING your front page story and comment in last week’s Wiltshire Times I thought it was important to make a few things clear.

The main factor behind our decision to allow staff to park at Lovemead car park has been to improve parking for visitors at County Hall – something many people have told us they wanted to see. This has certainly been achieved as we have had some really positive feedback from members of the public at reception.

On average, there were more than 100 free spaces in Lovemead, however we will continue to monitor the use here to ensure people who pay for a permit can still park there when they need to. In addition, over the weekend when the car park is generally busier, staff won’t be parking there.

If we didn’t make this car park available, it is likely many staff would park in the surrounding streets causing issues for local residents, and that is certainly something we are keen to avoid.

We also think it will actually benefit the town, as staff may well use the local businesses when walking from the car park to work and back.

Although not everyone will agree with the approach we have taken, on balance we think it is best for visitors, businesses, local people and staff. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Philip Whitehead Wiltshire Council cabinet member responsible for highways