Further to your article Parking is set to be the new controversial issue'.

Like all town centre management matters, parking has to be balanced between the residents, the employees, visitors and shoppers, and it is something that the town centre management group has always attempted to balance for the benefit of everyone.

The traders have been mindful that as Sutton becomes busier, particularly on Sundays, that consideration needs to be made particularly of residents with regard to the Controlled Parking Zones.

Yes it would be very nice to have parking free at Christmas but at the end of the day it has to be paid for by someone.

It was good to see Surrey House's planning application was approved, and yes there will be a limited number of parking spaces made available.

However, I am sure a lot of people who will want these properties will probably not have a car as with the transport in Sutton so good and the location of these flats a car would not be necessary.

RICHARD H THOMAS

Town centre manager

November 30, 2001 10:30