Gary Edgecombe, of Camperdown Road, Salcombe, writes:

Delightful as the weather is, I suggest anyone driving past South Hams Council’s Totnes headquarters wind up their windows, as the people responsible for planning are clearly smoking something pretty volatile!

Our local councillors have fallen into the trap that most MPs also fail to avoid, once elected, they proceed to follow their pet agendas, instead of doing what they’re supposed to do, which is to serve the people who elected them in the first place.

Who, in their right mind, decided that it would be a good idea to build on Salcombe’s Shadycombe car park?

Presumably it is the same person who also assured everyone that alternative parking would be provided elsewhere! Really?

Exactly where will this theoretical car park be, then? On the Berry? They tried to pinch our recreation ground three decades ago, until my personal hero, the late  Salcombe town councillor Les Stone put a stop to their shenanigans.

Anyone who has taken even the most cursory interest in our local government will confirm that the guarantees guarantee nothing.

I’m reminded of the parking meters Devon County Council attempted to install in Kings­bridge Fore Street.

When this became public knowledge, they frantically back peddled and said that the proposal was ‘under consultation’.

Allegedly, they had already purchased the parking meters. I stand to be corrected here, but I believe Shadycombe car park contributes almost half of the available parking in the town.

Its location is far from ideal, and is a fair hike from the town centre, but nonetheless, it is a vital asset to Salcombe.

Without adequate parking, the visitors Salcombe so desperately needs will simply drive on through... and find somewhere more hospitable to spend their money.

Ordinarily, one would turn to the local MP, but I’m sure I’m not the only one to notice her deafening silence of late.

Perhaps she doesn’t have to park in Salcombe in high season.