WHAT A CHEEK

I agree with John Ward about Bromley Council's unreasonable parking fines (News Shopper, January 23). I parked in North Street car park just after it had been divided into two to build flats. An empty bay was available behind another car but I deliberately avoided it because I would have blocked in the other driver against the fence. Instead I parked alongside the fence. It was a safe place to park although the bays had not been painted yet. I appealed unsuccessfully against the resulting fine. A few weeks later, a parking bay had been painted where I had been parked. I assume they used my money to buy the paint.

Jackie Barrie

Belmont Road

Beckenham

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

I just wanted to say thanks for writing on local issues in an excellent structured way. This gives local people a local paper which is a valuable tool to apply pressure on organisations which the single voice or even a few voices together get dismissed by. Putting pressure on the council and local services need to be done. I work hard and want to enjoy my area but it seems to get more difficult with dumped cars, stolen vehicles and vandalism. Hopefully the News Shopper can make the council, GLA and police see things need to be done not just talked about.

J Brian

High Street

Green St Green

TORY FAILURES

I feel I must respond to a leaflet I have seen from Beckenham MP Jacqui Lait. She complains about the lack of funding for education. But isn't it the Conservative-controlled council which is cutting the education budget. More than £1m is being cut by Jacqui Lait's colleagues in Bromley. I know Ms Lait is shadow spokesperson for Scotland but shouldn't she take an interest in her constituency and take the Tories in Bromley to task?

Richard Williams

Palace Square

Upper Norwood

TOUGH COPPER

A constable tells us female officers found former police borough commander Gerry Howlett a sweetie, while his successor Chief Superintendent David Dillnutt is "your genuine thief-taker". I hope the Crown Prosecution Service and magistrates don't let him down.

Miss T Wells

Star Lane

St Mary Cray