I have received a letter from Leicester City Council describing a proposed residents-only parking scheme in Aylestone.

There is no problem parking in Aylestone except on match days. The match day problem is easily solved by giving residents free match-day parking permits so that only they can park. But instead a scheme requiring residents, businesses and visitors to buy permits is being proposed. Residents will be penalised whether they have cars or not since their visitors must have permits – council officers suggest buying the £1 48-hour permits in bulk in case of visitors.

Many people own and drive more than one car, so they must have a £25 annual permit for each car. Businesses are penalised in two ways. Their parking needs are restricted (their permits are £100 pa) and they will lose passing trade as non-residents will not be able to stop outside their business or anywhere in Aylestone.

The scheme also discourages new set ups, since new businesses will not be able to buy permits. This hardly seems sensible in a recession when enterprise needs encouragement.

As to voting on this scheme, there is only one vote per household and that is not secret. A lot of personal information is required to vote – an invasion of personal privacy.

This scheme is more about making money than solving the problem. Residents may think it is a good idea – they should try visiting friends in the Filbert Street area! Also the charges will be increased in the future.

J Byrne, Leicester.