BUREAUCRACY has definitely gone mad when it comes to parking tickets in Cinderford.

I pulled into a disabled bay on Wednesday (June 15). In front of me was a long silver vehicle, so I parked as close as was safe, leaving enough room for the owner or driver to open their boot if needed.

I returned to my car 15 or so minutes later, the long silver vehicle had gone and another shorter vehicle was then in its place. Both of us were now sporting the dreaded yellow and black tickets on our windscreens. Mine because I was 'not parked correctly within the markings of the bay' and the other lady for the same reason, as she had obviously driven in instead of backing in, which can be virtually impossible in the Triangle anyway, so she was a few inches over the marked line in front, inconveniencing no-one, as there are only two disabled bays.

Parking in Cinderford is difficult for anyone at the best of times, unless one only wants to shop in the Co-op, no help at all to any local businesses still surviving in the town, and no help to anyone needing to collect prescriptions from Boots in the Triangle.

Come on, give the drivers in Cinderford a break, and let's have just a little leeway and common sense from your civil enforcement officers.

– Name and address supplied, Cinderford.