I WOULD like to thank everyone who signed my e-petition for some free car parking in Bishop Auckland around the Christmas period.

What did we achieve with this petition?

Durham County Council did take note of it and has responded by promising to revisit the free parking situation for Christmas 2014 when, hopefully, Bishop Auckland can compete with outof- town shopping.

I would like to thank council officers for taking time to have these discussions with me about the car parking situation in Bishop Auckland and also about the general appearance of our town.

Having had a walk around the town centre and bus station with officers, it has been agreed that the street furniture will now be cleaned and revarnished as soon as the weather allows, new bins will be placed where needed, and there will be a general clean up of streets, street lights, toilets, bus shelters and the bases of the bus station trees that are now very uneven.

I was accused of being negative with my car parking petition but, as I see it, positive results have been generated.

Town Councillor Lesley Zair, Bishop Auckland.