Although Malvern Hills District Council should be applauded for its street wardens initiative (Malvern Gazette, March 10), can the costs of "decriminalising parking" - whatever that is - possibly be correct? The estimate is stated to be £300,000.

If the new system is working, why is £40,000 being wasted on a survey? What is being surveyed?

What sort of signage is costing £50,000? And how many new lines need to be painted at such enormous cost to the Council Tax-payers?

Worst of all is the cost of £80,000 for an "application" to the Home Office. It sounds an awful lot of money for what seems to be simply signing a few forms. Has anyone on the council asked the Home Office to justify its charge? Or is the council assuming this money is only on temporary loan and will soon be clawed back in parking fines?

J J O'Shea, Chillerton Court, Worcester Road, Malvern.