Neil Graham, of Wistaria Place, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, writes:

Is it not time that our local politicians took a grip of the officials who organise the parking enforcement officers and stop the odious and officious collection of extra revenue from shoppers who are trying to support struggling businesses on Kingsbridge Fore Street.

With Fore Street closed, why are the traffic officers still handing out parking fines?

I watched a hapless young mother, who had been shopping on Fore street, get a parking fine. She must have been one of the few shoppers that day and she was rewarded for her efforts by a parking enforcement officer.

Fore Street is almost a ghost town, but still the parking officials are there making sure as few people as possible want to stop and shop.

Have none of the officials wondered what it is like trying to survive running a shop during one of the worst recessions and with the main road closed?

I doubt it as the officials salaries will not be effected by a recession or road closure.

And what about the car parks? With Tesco and Morrison's giving free parking, guess where most people shop. It makes sense to people who run businesses, but not to officials, that people who drive into town will take the free parking at the two supermarkets so, by default, will do most shopping there.

Why are there parking charges on Sundays and bank holidays? It can't be to keep traffic moving as there is none.

Please will our district and county councillors get a grip and put a stop to this ridiculous revenue-raising.

Kingsbridge is not the premier destination for visitors to the area but we do have excellent shops, pubs restaurants and much more.

So we have to encourage people to come here – not force them elsewhere.

I do accept there is a need for some parking management but not to the extent tthe current regime is enforcing petty rules.

If anyone would like to take this issue further you can email me at kingsbridgeparking@ gmail.com.

If loads of people are interested, I will start a petition and maybe we can get some answers.