Your recent stories about the release of the currently unused car park at Dorchester Prison reflects credit on those who negotiated the extra spaces.

However I am concerned that some of the comments quoted gave the impression that there is a serious shortfall in the town.

There simply isn’t and most of the time there are hundreds of empty spaces.

No one should be put off from coming here because they believe they will not be able to get into a car park.

There is undoubtedly, though, a need to manage the spaces better to try and reduce the long stay parking which is blighting many residential streets and to encourage those who use the car parks to stagger their visits throughout the day.

Currently, usage is concen-trated on just a few hours and the rest of the time the car parks are seriously underused.

A comprehensive review is called for and I am hopeful that one will get underway later this year : we need to manage things better.

Trevor Jones County, district, and town councillor, Dorchester