Dr Stuart Watts, chairman, Aune Conservation Association, writes:

I should like to add my voice to what I hope will be a clamour of protest over the proposal to charge for parking in Timbers car park, Aveton Gifford, as part of South Hams Council's budgetary plans for 2012/13.

Until quite recently, Timbers was a mess; shrouded with overgrown shrubbery and littered with assorted boat junk, it was almost an invitation to those tempted to commit car and boat crime.

As a direct result of the hard work of volunteers organised by Aveton Gifford Parish Council, Timbers has been smartened up and visibility improved.

It is now much used by recreational boat users, walkers, school groups and others seeking to enjoy the delights of the Avon estuary.

We have the community who recognise the enormous local value of this car park to thank for this transition.

Now, they are faced with the prospect of having to pay for the resource they, themselves, have largely created; hardly an encouragement to enthusiastically adopt the general principle of DIY 'localism'.

Arguably more important, any parking charges would be likely to encourage the increasing number of river users to park along the verges of the Tidal Road, spoiling the environment by ploughing up the salt marsh fringes while posing considerable risk to their own safety and that of their vehicles.

I urge the council to think again.