I see little sign of the 10-week public consultation on town centre parking (Courier, June 30).

The council leader said: “Doing nothing is not an option.” In Dunbar, with a 90-minute parking limit, doing nothing is definitely an option. An MSP (Courier viewpoints, July 14) argued cogently that “parking charges are not the answer”.

The council website mentions two aims – an environment supporting pedestrians and cyclists, and support for the local economy. With a wide High Street and the ability for motorists to stop and shop, Dunbar already meets both aims.

Parking charges would hurt trade on a healthy High Street and drive people to the expanding retail park, where councils have no power to charge. Charges would put High Street businesses at a huge disadvantage. Customers should be able to stop for large or heavy loads, or for short calls to offices, or even just for coffee and cake. The current parking rules already prevent people from overstaying.

You reported council officers saying that parking charges could bring “significant income” to the authority. This should be dismissed out of hand by councillors. Extra revenue is not a valid justification for a proposal centred on the environment and on the local economy. The parking warden who catches the overstayers already brings in revenue. Fines for dropping litter could also bring income.

I have not met anyone who wishes parking charges to be introduced in Dunbar, and I look forward to reading the views of townspeople and local traders while there is still time for proper consultation.

Ian Dickson

Countess Road

Dunbar