Readers questioned whether Allerdale Council s plan of offering free parking in the afternoons and evenings in the Thursdays before Christmas should have gone further. The local authority announced last week that it was introducing a temporary free parking scheme, between 3pm and 10pm, on the Thursdays in the run-up to Christmas. The move was introduced in a bid to help encourage greater support of local businesses. The initiative was made available in any council-owned car parks which are normally pay and stay, which are found in Workington, Cockermouth, Keswick and Wigton. Tony Markley, executive member for environmental services (including car parks), said: “We’re firmly encouraging people to shop local this Christmas and support the fantastic businesses we have right across the borough at a time when they need as much help as they can get.