I could not agree more with John and Gill Sanders about the 'illegal' and unfair plan to make some residents of Oxford pay to park outside their own home (Oxford Mail, June 15). I also received the most blatant one-sided questionnare ever produced.
Every question is loaded so that you can give only an answer that the county council wants.
A great example is question 3: "Do you think the proposed charges for residents' permits are, a) too high, b) about right, c) too low." Where is the answer: "No charge at all"?
Many of the other questions give you the same choice. Why should councillors who do not live in Oxford dictate what happens to residents who live in the city?
Even if I paid for a residents' permit, it does not guarantee me a parking place. Who pays for something that they are not going to get?
In many parts of Blackbird Leys, the parking permit will be in operation only during the football season, so the council is asking residents to pay £40 for about 30 days a year.
Then, if anyone wants to visit, even for 10 minutes, they will have to pay 60p, because I'm sure there will be a Control Plus parking attendant waiting in the bushes ready to pounce as soon as a car is parked without a permit.
We will also have to pay £15 in advance for these visitor passes because they will sell them to you only in packs of 25. So if you only get one visitor a year, that will be £15, please. This questionnaire must be scrapped immediately and a fairer version produced, but not by this Tory-controlled, do as I say, not as I do, council. I have one question for the councillors: "Is the result of this questionnaire going to make any difference to your decision?"
I can most probably give them an answer now a resounding no, unless it is in their favour.
I also have one challenge for them, Ask the residents: "Do they want to be charged for parking outside their own homes, and for family members to pay to visit you?" Then agree with the result of this question.
Will they agree, mmmm . . . Is it pigs I see flying above!
ANDY BEAL, Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys, Oxford
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article