I AM writing due to the outrageous increases in car parking prices at the car park next to Altrincham Leisure Centre.

These prices used to be a sensible 20p per hour to attract shoppers and users of the leisure centre, but in recent times have risen astronomically. It now costs £1.50 to park to take a child for a 30 minute swimming lesson! There is now only an option for parking for 30 minutes or two hours.

This is crazy and means that either people will stop going to the leisure centre, or search out local streets to park on.

While fully understand the council is strapped for cash, this is not fair.

I do have a suggestion, given that 30 minutes is pointless for the leisure centre (you cannot take a child for a 30 minute lesson) and the same applies for a one hour slot, then why not charge 50p for 45 mins, 90p for 75 mins and £1.20 for 2 hours. Far more sensible and while still expensive, better than the ludicrous charges being applied now.

I hope that the price structure changes back to something fair and sensible very soon.

Alan Simpson, via email