Regarding the proposed residents parking scheme – Triangle area in Hitchin, we believe that there are fundamental difficulties with both the idea that a scheme is necessary in the first place and the proposals drafted by the NHDC. We do not feel that the

Regarding the proposed residents parking scheme - Triangle area in Hitchin, we believe that there are fundamental difficulties with both the idea that a scheme is necessary in the first place and the proposals drafted by the NHDC.

We do not feel that the part research undertaken by the Triangle Residents Association can be considered as evidence that a majority of residents - and specifically those in Dacre Road and Radcliffe Road - see commuter parking as a problem. While the Triangle Residents Association does some valuable work with regard to the local community, we do not feel that they should be seen as being democratically representative of the residents here.

Permit schemes are punitive in themselves. They cost car owning households extra, regardless of the fact that they already pay road tax and community charge. Many people have no option but to own a car and this adds another financial burden, regardless of their financial circumstances. Of greater concern is the fact that these schemes do not guarantee a service from NHDC in terms of parking patrols nor that residents will be able to park near their homes anyway. Finally, the idea of having to buy visitors tickets is insulting beyond comment!

Overall, we feel that this scheme may be a good way for NHDC to raise extra revenue without benefiting local people.

With regard to the poorly thought out proposals from Florence Street and Alexandra Road, we would like to comment that the over-zealous use of yellow lines is guaranteed to make our situation worse. Parking of resident cars can be tight at times, but we all know each other and can work things out for ourselves.

We think it is fair to say that if you were to ask residents in Kings Road and Alexandra Road where NHDC should be spending money, they would say that the roads themselves were in desperate need of repair and the small car park on the Grove Road side of Ransoms Rec should be reopened, so that park users do not have to use residential roads on Sundays (when the football matches are played) - the parking permit scheme, we note, would not stop weekend disruption.

Finally, with regard to comments that residents had been consulted about the proposals, we do not feel that this is the case. The Residents Association consultation was extremely limited, and the original contact from NHDC gave no information on our right to object. We think that assumptions have been made about people's feelings about this scheme based on limited information and the views of a vocal minority.

MR AND MRS P COTTISS, Alexandra Road, Hitchin