• ONE of the reasons why there are not more e-cars on Camden’s streets is that the announcement made three or four years ago that diesel cars were to be fined heavily did not synchronise with the provision of an e-charging infrastructure.

When I was looking for a replacement for my diesel there were merely two charging stations, several streets away, and those were often dysfunctional. I didn’t want to find myself in a position where I had to drive through the borough in search of a charging point.

People are still complaining that dozens of charging points in the neighbourhood are not working. Moreover, at that time, counties like Somerset and Dorset, my favourite holiday destinations, had hardly any e-charging points.

Unfortunately in many places it is impossible to get to a National Trust property or a decent restaurant without a car. So I ended up buying a petrol car.

The cost for visitor permits will also increase significantly. These are predominantly used for tradespeople. Some residents may decide to delay maintaining their properties or refrain from doing so altogether.

Since most tradespeople cannot travel on public transport, their patrons should be given special low-fee vouchers, as is common practice in Europe.

Elderly residents often receive same-age visitors who might be wobbly on their feet. However their visits will become rather costly.

Recently my 87-year-old uncle was staying in London for several months. He was too unstable to get to and travel on public transport. It made all the difference to have a car with which I could take him around.

The planned scratch-card removal is going to greatly disadvantage elderly residents. During the Zoom consultation organised by the council on October 11 many sounded worried because they find online booking a daunting task.

In 2019 I was granted an exemption from using online booking on medical grounds and hope that this will be honoured.

During the consultation we were told that Camden will offer an assisted contact service that will do the booking of visitor permits on behalf of the elderly.

I am sorry to say that does not sound reassuring. Everyone knows how difficult it is to reach the council by phone, and the officer responsible for the assisted contact scheme will be extremely busy and not available on weekends. Can the council afford to employ extra dedicated staff for this?

In other words this planned new policy is going to become another source of anxiety.

GABRIELE VOM BRUCK, NW3