The idea put forward by Councillor Renwick was to raise heaps of money for the Lowther Gardens Trust.

This decison was irrespective of a huge petition put forward by the pubic against this idea.

The whole operation of processing this scheme was to be overseen by Parkwise in conjunction with National Car Parks.

Lancashire County Council, which includes the Flyde area, have a contract with them until 2009.

This includes the installation of parking meters, the issue of tickets, right to collection and, if necessary, court action.

It now seems that Parkwise, who have collected £10 million since 2004 from the receipts of parking and subsequent fines, have forcast that, by 2009, running costs are going to put them in the red by an estimated £900,000.

Lancashire County Council are looking at alternative ways to run this scheme.

If Parkwaise cannot run at a profit, them being the most professional and experienced business who service these parking schemes, how can someone else run them at a profit?

These pitfalls were pointed out to the council when the subject was first broached.

It would now seem that if the council were to take on the task of running this parking scheme, without the experience of people like Parkwise, that we can expect unprecedented losses to service this scheme.

Is it not now time to eat humble pie and forget the scheme altogether before all of us have to finance it through our council tax bills when the whole idea of it was to pour money into the Lowther Gardens Trust? Who are they kidding?
Gorden Whittles
Lynwood Park
Warton