Do you think it would be worthwhile warning your readers that they are now in danger of getting a £50 fine for parking offences in the borough of Barnet on Christmas Day and Boxing Day? Although traditionally, ever since parking meters were introduced, pa

Do you think it would be worthwhile warning your readers that they are now in danger of getting a £50 fine for parking offences in the borough of Barnet on Christmas Day and Boxing Day?

Although traditionally, ever since parking meters were introduced, parking restrictions have been suspended on public holidays, other than on double yellow lines, the borough of Barnet has decided that this should no longer apply.

The signs on many roads certainly read that parking is not permitted from Monday to Saturday in certain parts of the borough, but the council has not seen fit to add the one word "every" which would have warned the public that this applied to public holidays as well.

Parking meters were first introduced to reduce traffic congestion, which simply doesn't occur on quiet roads on public holidays. It is disgraceful that the borough has not explained to the public why this rationale does not apply when there is no business traffic at all. My parking fine was for August Bank Holiday Monday and the council said that it was valid.

DEREK TAYLOR (OBE)

Mountview Close, NW11