SIR, — As an occasional train user, mainly in the evenings and at weekends, I can sympathise with much of the recent correspondence about the new car park charges at St Albans City Station. Even if the increase with which I am faced is only 50p, it stil

SIR, - As an occasional train user, mainly in the evenings and at weekends, I can sympathise with much of the recent correspondence about the new car park charges at St Albans City Station. Even if the increase with which I am faced is "only" 50p, it still equates to a 50 per cent rise on the previous £1 charge. I have yet to use the new multi-storey car park to see how much less manoeuvring space I get for the extra money.

It is, however, worthwhile reflecting on car-park charges levied at other locations about the same distance away from central London. On Sunday, June 1, I had occasion to travel to Exeter by train. Given an early departure and a late return - not to mention various engineering works - I decided to drive to Woking and catch my train from there. "On-the-day" car-parking charges at that station where the train operating company is South West Trains - part of the Stagecoach Group - were: Monday to Friday £11.50; Saturday £6; Sunday £3.

On the notice board by the ticket machine there was no mention of any reduction for part-day use on Mondays to Fridays. At least First Capital Collect/NCP Monday to Friday daily rate of £5.80 reduces to £3 after 10am and to £1.50 after 5pm.

About a year ago when I last parked in Watford Junction Station car park, I recall that the fee was either £5.50 or £6 per day with no weekend or part-day use reductions. We seem, perhaps, to be faring less badly than some others.

R.J.G. SMITH,

Charmouth Road, St Albans.