Faringdon Folly: Over 50 people took part in a meeting to discuss a raft of proposals that have been drawn up by Faringdon Town Council's working party on parking. One new suggestion is a compromise between free parking, as many have requested in the town centre car parks, and paid parking. This would offer a first hour of free parking, followed by a sliding tariff up to a maximum of charge for the day. "This would indicate that revenue is important but would also provide encouragement for people to "pop into" Faringdon shops in place of others nearby," said Town Councillor Tim Evans, who chaired the meeting. The meeting discussed many short-term solutions to ease the parking squeeze in the town. One idea being put forward is to expand the Gloucester Street car park along its length through the trees below the Town Park. The meeting also suggested that the Vale of White Horse District Council should be asked to assess the parking situation when considering new developments, or building conversions. The working party has produced a detailed report with seven pages of detailed suggestions for improving the parking situation in Faringdon. These include providing improved signage to existing car parks and a review of the yellow lines and other restrictions. A list of suggested improvements to London Street include a short term parking layby outside Threshers, and another outside the Viceroy restaurant. Give way signs should be installed at both ends of the narrow section of road linking Marlborough Street, Gloucester Street and London Street. The parking restrictions in the Market Place should be extended from 30 minutes to an hour. The report outlines a range of longer term options including increasing the size of Gloucester Street, and extending the Southampton Street car park by purchasing the land next to Barclays Bank. The next meeting of the working party is on 9 September.