You may be aware that in recent times car parking charges have been imposed on motorists wishing to park in the car park in Newerene Street, Lydney. This was once a free car park, but these charges have undoubtedly had an impact on local businesses, and have forced motorists to park elsewhere, creating blocked footpaths and side roads in the town.

The purpose of my letter is not specifically about this issue, but about what has happened to my daughter and our 14 month old grandson recently.

Our grandson had become unwell, with suspected scarlet fever, and our daughter was fortunate enough to get an appointment for him with her doctor at Lydney Health Centre. Their consultation was booked for 9.20am. She arrived at Newerne Street car park at 9.10am, purchased a ticket, and proceeded to the Health Centre. When she reported to the appointments desk, she was told by the receptionist that the doctor was running one hour late. So she had no alternative other than to sit in the waiting room with the other patients and wait to be called. She was eventually called in at 10.12am.

When she returned to her car, the parking warden was issuing her with a parking ticket as she had gone over her time, which she had, but no fault of hers. She tried to explain to the warden what had happened but her reasons fell on deaf ears. However, she was told by the warden she could challenge this ticket with Gloucestershire County Council. The fine was £50!

She duly challenged the ticket as she felt she was being penalised for circumstances beyond her control. The response she had from the council was unreal really, saying that her excuse was not good enough and the ticket stood.

Who are these people? Who do they think they are? God?

She had a sick 14 month old child with scarlet fever waiting to see a doctor. Do they expect her to keep running out of the surgery to keep topping up her parking ticket? That is just totally impractical, and even if she did, she would most probably have missed her place in the waiting room and have to rebook with the doctor.

The surgery, in fairness, gave my daughter a copy of their appointments schedule and confirmed in writing the exact times she was seen by the doctor so as she could prove her story to the council. But Gloucestershire County Council's reaction borders on embezzlement. They are only interested in money, and ripping people off.

As my daughter said, if she hadn't bought a ticket then, fair enough, but she cannot believe the obscene reaction of the council. It has cost her £50 to see her doctor!

There are a few issues which need to be addressed here:

1): Why was the surgery running an hour late? Do they need to put practises in place to ensure they don't? They are costing their patients money they cannot afford.

2): Listening and empathy training for all council staff. Patients visiting a doctor should be considered more carefully and circumstances taken into account.

– David Donoghue, Oakmead­ow, Lydney.