Letter: Cyclist driven to despair

Sir: Jeremy Garson (letter, 28 April) perpetuates the myth, common among motorists, that illegal parking is not a crime. It is. It is a crime whether the car is parked on a yellow line for one second or one hour.

This myth is perpetuated by the lack of enforcement of the law and the minimal fines. In many cities cars can be seen parked nose-to-tail on double lines and blocking bus stops and bus lanes with no parking tickets in sight.

This is a case for zero tolerance. Any vehicle parked illegally at any time deserves a ticket and a fine many times the current level, together with endorsement of the driver's licence. Then we might free the streets for public transport and other legitimate road users.

CHRISTOPHER FREEL

Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire