COUNCILLOR Kevin Connor and his Liberal-Democrat colleagues are trying to mislead the public over the issue of car parking in Darwen (Letters, March 15).

Coun Connor implies that the council is consulting on introducing a 20p pay-and-display charge on all the car parks in Darwen.

The truth is that the council is consulting traders and the public, after requests, whether a low-charge pay and display scheme is appropriate on just three of the car parks which are generally full all day with town-centre workers' vehicles -- Foundry Street and the two market car parks.

The other large town centre car parks at Knott Street, Railway Road and Police Street, as well as the numerous other smaller car parks, would all remain free.

Coun Connor cynically argues that monies collected would be spent "in Blackburn." Not so -- the proposals would mean that any money collected would only be spent on the machines, patrols and security of the car parks, -- which is currently lacking.

There is no need for the proposed 20p charge to rise -- it is a nominal fee only.

Is Coun Connor really saying that people would not pay 20p to park for two or three hours in the prime parking spots immediately adjacent the markets and Bridge Street/Bolton Road shopping areas?

If he is happy for the current situation to continue maybe he could tell shoppers what will happen when the former Technical School in Knott Street is occupied? Where will those workers park?

If, however, after the consultation traders and shoppers are happy for the current situation to prevail, then no change need take place.

Councillor DAVE SMITH (Sunnyhurst Ward), Avondale Road, Darwen.