Letter: Not sitting on the fence over car park row

Ever since the Aldi supermarket opened in the town, many patients using the adjoining Caxton Surgery have used its free car park in preference to the inadequate car park at the surgery, usually full by 10am, and with a difficult single-lane access. I confess I have done so myself.

The recent opening of an all-comers pharmacy at the surgery exacerbated the situation, bringing more cars and drug deliveries to this overcrowded parking area, and causing even more patients to take advantage of Aldi's better designed and also free car park with its proper entrance and through flow to the exit.

So it came as no surprise when the supermarket, after building works, declined to reopen the footpath linking the two car parks.

The Shropshire Star carried a photograph and story showing the Caxton pharmacist and practice manager with a petition they have drawn up implying that Aldi are compromising safety and a story suggesting that the wicked supermarket should restore the free parking. No wonder Aldi declined to comment. They must have been thinking, like me, what a cheek!

Why on earth should a privately owned shop provide free parking for a surgery and pharmacy whose own facilities are dangerously below par? The last time I used the Caxton car park (yes, I am a patient there and a very satisfied one) it was full and I was forced to reverse out into busy Oswald Road to free up spaces there.

I cannot help feeling Aldi are missing a trick, though. If, like neighbouring Morrisons, they charged for parking with a refund if money is spent in the shop, they would at least get a quid a time from patients – if not extra sales.

Sam Evans, Oswestry