‘As for people who ‘struggle to pay the increased charges’ it’s simple. Sell your car!’

• AS I have a desire to eliminate, or at least reduce, the use of cars in London, I must take issue with councillor Tom Simon’s attack on Camden’s new parking proposals, (Camden Council needs to rethink its proposed changes to the parking charges, November 9).

Though I should point out that the proposals are presently under consultation, so there is time to draw attention to any major issues.

We all know that parking is difficult; there are simply too many cars most of which barely move day-to-day. So anything which makes owning, parking and using a car more expensive or difficult is welcome in my book.

And I include electric cars in this, their only “benefit” is that they don’t emit exhaust fumes on our streets, but the generation of the electricity they need does, just not in the city.

And they do create pollution on our streets: the microscopic particles of rubber from their tyres are now recognised as a substantial hazard and because of their weight this is even greater than most other vehicles.

As an older person, I can sympathise with the difficulties many of the modern payment systems can pose. I see many younger people getting exasperated while trying to register their vehicles when parking on local streets. So the system must make arrangements which are simple to use.

But, then, if people are struggling to register their cars and get their brains and fingers to work properly while stationary, how safe are they as drivers, given the myriad aspects they must be aware of when driving on overcrowded streets?

Car clubs are one idea for getting rid of some car ownership, so I think they should be treated more leniently, but I’m happy to discourage the use of motorbikes. They must be the noisiest vehicles on our roads and all the ones I hear and see are being ridden stupidly fast and emitting noise I can hear from half-a-mile or more.

As for people who “struggle to pay the increased charges” it’s simple. Sell your car!

Decades ago Which?, the magazine of the Consumers’ Association, showed that unless you needed a car every day, or at least several times a week, it is far cheaper to hire taxis for short journeys or hire a car for holidays and longer trips.

And it’s far cheaper to use public transport! So, sorry, Cllr Simon I don’t agree.

DAVID REED
Eton Avenue, NW3