ON first reading Ron Bradney s provocative letter regarding the new parking regime, we felt that he had succeeded in enraging most of the residents directly affected by this controversial scheme, and that a response was not necessary. On second thoughts,

ON first reading Ron Bradney's provocative letter regarding the new parking regime, we felt that he had succeeded in enraging most of the residents directly affected by this controversial scheme, and that a response was not necessary.

On second thoughts, after scanning the recent published correspondence, we realised that we may have been the only letter contributors to have highlighted and named Cllr Bradney's position. We hope you can spare space in your columns for further comment.

As a councillor toeing the party line on the Environment & Transport Committee, Mr Bradney has every right to express his forthright views. But, as the civic head and titular Mayor of the City of Ely he demeans this office by his condescending remarks relating to the city's residents. In the many years we have resided, and been in business in Ely, we cannot recall one mayor, and we have known most of them personally, who would have the audacity to illustrate such a biased view by comparing the local taxes paid by residents to businesses.

In canvassing support for the impending dilemma faced by some residents, we have found universal sympathy and support. Signatories to our circulating petitions, including some with very large drives, cannot understand the intransigence of, nor the perfunctory dismissal of the residents' concern by, some E&T committee members, who, together with the council's planning and development officer, so vehemently oppose any residents' concession.

Car owners who park anywhere in the controlled zone, on or off-street, will be well advised to carefully note the conditions applying to their favoured spot. The benign approach to parking enforcement is changing with effect from December 10; be warned that the transport team, inspired by the dictatorial likes of Cllr Bradney, will be enforcing short stay infringements immediately and long stay from February 11, 2008. The resulting pressure on spaces will overflow to on-street parking, and occupiers of homes in the quiet streets not already overwhelmed by commuting parkers will soon experience that uncomfortable situation.

Contrary to Cllr Bradney's view; the new rules mean a very large change which will impact on every motorist in Ely, but particularly those residents who have nowhere else to park. All for the sake of a 32-minute window in each 24 hours - we are not alone in finding the council's policy preposterous.

CHRISTOPHER and

VALERIE BENT

Broad Street

Ely