PARKING is a problem that never goes away.

With a dwindling bus service – both in and out of the city – most visitors to Hereford are left with little option but to use the car. But where do they leave their vehicles when they go off to the shops and businesses?

For many visiting the city centre for a short period of time, the answer was often a quick stop on one of the streets found close to High Town. Bridge Street, St Owen Street and King Street all offered a cheap and easy option for those not wishing to hang around.

But with the rise in loading bays and spaces for disabled drivers, motorists unwilling to put hands in pockets have been pushed out to narrow residential side streets. This has had an adverse effect on those living within the inner city areas – particularly Moorfields – who cannot park anywhere near their own homes.

Herefordshire Council says the introduction of on street parking charges will improve traffic flow but every driver knows only the bypass question can settle that lengthy debate.

Maybe turning the clock back 20 years and reintroducing many of the lost free on-street parking spaces would be a better way to get traffic moving inside the inner ring road – and help traders too.