SINCE my family and I moved to Knutsford in 1970, we have been grateful to use the facilities at the community hospital, and at no time during that period have we been unable to park there.

My most recent trip to the hospital was to give blood, and because of the co-ordination and efficiency of the staff I was only in about 10 minutes.

Other visits this year were to the physiotherapy department. In each case I was out of the hospital in less than 45 minutes.

Charges for future visits will be £2.20 parking.

It seems to have escaped the attention of the architects of this mistaken plan that within 200 yards of the Community Hospital, Booths car park offers the more mobile; one hour’s parking for 40p and two hours for 80p.

The only outcome of this change will be an almost empty car park with spaces taken up only by the elderly, frail and less mobile visitors who need close access for their visit but who will bear the brunt of the punitive charges.

D J Gillan Knutsford