I WRITE with reference to Geoff Ford's article Beware Of The Enforcers, which gave me visions of the A Team, who are about to commence their very long list of daily offences which will be carried out aggressively by the Civil Enforcement Officers.

Have they a vast knowledge of the Road Traffic Act, parking regulations, local by-laws, or do they carry a wealth of knowledge in a pocket-size portfolio, which will instantly advise them of the offence committed, and how to deal with it in terms of an honest, true, sensuous, prompt, observant, obliging, respectable manner towards the public?

Will he recognise the following while out on his patrols?

Zig-zag lines: Vehicles are not permitted to park within or over these lines on the approach to a pedestrian crossing and on the exit side of a pedestrian crossing. The first pedestrian crossing on St Peter's Avenue, exit side (left), allows at least two vehicles to park directly alongside the exit zig-zag lines in line with the pavement.

The second pedestrian crossing on the avenue, outside Boots, allows two vehicles to park alongside the approach zig-zag lines of this crossing.

Both these crossings have been like this for years, but again in both cases, are these vehicles causing an obstruction when both views of these white zig-zag lines are blocked or partially blocked, and when motorists do not have a clear view of any pedestrian approaching these crossing?

My brief explanation may not be to the letter-of -the-law, but let's establish this before we allow our Civil Enforcement Officers, and £400,000 spent on this scheme, to expect motorists to always respect local by-law parking regulations.

Why did it seem very fitting a couple of years ago to rid our streets of our local traffic wardens? They had a vast knowledge of the streets and areas that they patrolled, and on speaking terms with the general public, they had a job to do, and they did it without fear or favouritism, allowing for flexibility if and when needed.

This whole business cannot have been cost effective when we are now setting on Civil Enforcement Officers. What is wrong with the PSCO powers of duty for enforcing the law on parking regulations? It was when they came into force that the traffic wardens disappeared off our streets.

The PSCOs do have very restricted powers, but they must be able to issue fixed-penalty tickets for parking offences.

R T Ayre, Taylors Avenue, Cleethorpes.

The Telegraph says

Parking enforcement powers have moved from police through traffic wardens to local councils but have our roads been clogged up in the interim period?