HAVING again just returned from the centre of Cinderford I see the usual traffic chaos caused by inconsiderate and illegal parking in, and around The Triangle. People think they can park on double yellow lines, or on the bus stop without fear of confrontation or action.

This is a constant and recurring problem. The bus is unable to get into the bus stop, hence it has to stop in the road to allow passengers to alight or depart, and causes a build-up of traffic stretching up past the pedestrian crossing.

We are all aware that the CCTV system in place in The Triangle costs many thousands of pounds to keep in operation every year. So why don't we, like in London, use the cameras to obtain evidence of this parking practise and the constant turning right in The Triangle (in direct contravention of the traffic sign, I hasten to add) to issue fixed penalty fines to the offenders.

Let's face it, they wouldn't attempt to do this in, say Bristol because they would receive a ticket or have their car removed in an instant. So why are they allowed to do it here?   At least 60 per cent of offenders have young children in the vehicle when they park illegally or carry out illegal manouevers, so what is this showing these children? It shows them that the rules of society do not apply the them, and that they can do pretty much what they feel like, and nobody will do anything. Maybe this is why we have a rash of antisocial behaviour in Cinderford?

Litter, shouting, foul language etc by young children who think that they can do anything with impunity.

I already know motorists are hit by the government at every opp­or­­tunity (I am one myself) however, fines for parking in the bus stop or on double yellow lines is illegal, as is directly flouting a traffic sign. If you decide to do so, expect to be prosecuted and fined. You only have yourself to blame, and it has been proven that the only way to change peoples' bad driving habits is to hit them where it hurts – in the pocket!

This could all be acheived by a small team operating one camera, and I think it would pay for a week's operation in one day's fines collected for these deliberate, and continued violations that cause law-abiding motorists delays and frustration, and, sometimes, danger.

Before the disabled badge holders try to muscle in, even you with your badge are not allowed to park in a bus stop. But I will add that the high percentage of offenders are not disabled, but able bodied.

– Frustrated of Cinderford. (Name and address supplied).