Some of the comments in your feature on Baldock market make reference to problems with parking, which are partly the responsibility of North Herts District Council. You may recall that we introduced temporary parking restrictions on market days in Baldock

Some of the comments in your feature on Baldock market make reference to problems with parking, which are partly the responsibility of North Herts District Council.

You may recall that we introduced temporary parking restrictions on market days in Baldock, which have helped the traders by giving them more room to set up and operate. However, the parking restrictions will cease at the end of September and it is up to the new owners of the market to apply for an extension. So far they have not done so.

Parking problems in Baldock are worsened by London-bound commuters from a wide area parking in the town and catching trains from the station. This includes a large number from Letchworth Garden City who seem to prefer to travel from Baldock because they can be more certain of getting a seat on the trains. Clearly, these cars get in the way of people who wish to shop in the town. We are currently assessing this situation as part of the Baldock town centre strategy and will be bringing forward proposals in due course for public consultation.

However, it is important to realise that the economic vitality of Baldock and other markets is affected by more than just parking. The rise of out-of-town shopping habits poses a threat to the economies of all of our towns. NHDC will continue to do all it can to work with other authorities and organisations to address these problems.

Councillor R THAKE, Portfolio Holder, Planning and Transport