MY neighbours and I were delighted when we read Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors had given 100 per cent support to the decriminalisation of parking in Redditch (Advertiser, April 13).

We thought that at last we were going to see an end to the illegal and inconsiderate parking that has such an effect on our quality of life, as it does in so many other parts of the town.

We were dismayed to then learn the scheme was being held up by the reservations of some Labour councillors.

It seems those who represent the new town areas consider there is not a problem, which I find surprising as I regularly visit my friend in Church Hill and the parking there is horrendous as no-one seems to use their garages or drives and park anywhere.

The result is there is no way an ambulance or fire engine could get through.

Also, is it not time for councillors to view the town as a whole, even if a problem does not affect one area but does another?

I do not accept the excuse "they have nowhere else to park" as being an acceptable reason for allowing people to break the law and to put others at risk. This is the same reasoning which excuses yob behaviour because they perceive they have nothing to do.

If decriminalisation is an economic problem, surely a share scheme could be set up with Bromsgrove in the same way Studley shares its wardens with Stratford.

Redditch Council supported the expansion of Vaynor School with no provisos about limiting the traffic problem.

We, together with other areas, now look to all councillors to take what action they can to minimise these problems and enforce the law.

Mrs M MORLEY

Tennyson Road

Headless Cross