I believe that the increase in charges to be inflicted on the people of Diss and visitors is out of all proportion.

Yes, it is very nice to have one hour's free parking, allowing a quick trip to the shops, doctors, dentists, etc, but I know many residents who, like myself, drive into Diss every day and spend quite a considerable time in the town.

We not only visit the shops but love to stop and talk to people.

Often I have met visitors and find they love to ask about the town and will tell you where they are from.

Diss is a very friendly place where one can join a friend for a cup of coffee in one of the cafes.

We can walk down the street stopping for a chat, catching up on news.

For some residents, this is the only personal contact they may have and to penalise us in the form of excessive parking fees is detrimental to the well being of the town and its residents.

Come on, councillors, help to promote our town by at least retaining the current charges.

Mrs L. Musgrave-Brown, Diss

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Having carefully studied the new, apparently agreed, car parking charges I drew the following conclusions.

The 'free' first hour is only free if one stays for one hour or less.

Fine if one has several quick calls to make, for instance butcher, baker, post office, chemist, but far too short to shop the length of Mere Street, browsing in charity and card shops, stationers and book shops. Or to meet a friend for coffee or trawl the hidden delights of the Yards.

So you pay £1 for the second hour. In reality 50p for each hour, currently 50p for two hours. And the end result of this mish-mash? A surge of parking hoppers. First hour free at Weavers' or the Health Centre for top-of-town shopping and then move to Chapel Street (south) for a second free hour in the Mere's Mouth area.

What encouragement do the new charges give to residents of Diss and the surrounding area to spend time in all our varied shops, and also socialise, rather than just pop in for necessities.

Julia Brett, Diss

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We agree totally that the people hit hardest by the new parking charges will be the full-time workers of Diss, often having to travel in with no alternative transport links available.

We've seen the car park charge treble and now the total charge a week will be £15.

Not much... but times that by 48 weeks, add the rise in petrol, food, clothing, council tax, water rates, etc, with no pay rises in the offing, and this is not helpful.

Perhaps we should all stay at home and claim benefits?

Surely this will lead to people parking on residential streets to save costs? How about a subsidised rate for the workers?

Disgruntled workers, Mere Street, Diss