YOU commented recently on the dearth of footfall in the principal streets of Scotland ("One in eight shops empty on Scotland’s high streets", The Herald, February 11). In East Dunbartonshire motorists are being charged to park in car parks which they previously accessed for free. When the burgh bucket was first empty ratepayers' access to the parks was still free during the early mornings. Now charging has been extended to cover most of the working day. And if a motorist has to move around the county during the day he can expect to be charged once, twice, thrice or even more.

Meanwhile, down in Ayr, private motorists have been banned altogether from the town's High Street and other places in the vicinity, unless they are infirm or disabled or whatever. Although, no doubt, free parking will still be available for our councillors in their private halls.

So what do potential customers do in Ayr or Bearsden? They go elsewhere and take their custom with them.

Well done, councillors. It is no surprise that the shops are empty. How are the potential customers to reach them if there is only limited access? This lesson I learned when a boy – I believe it is known as cutting off the communal nose to solve a simple question – no access, no customers, no sales – QED.

One solution would be to introduce a simple intelligence test for all those aspiring to direct the lives of their fellow inhabitants.

Alan Sinclair,

40 Switchback Road, Bearsden.