Madam, I have just returned from a visit to Ross to collect my pre-ordered goods. The traffic was manic and after being unable to park in Henry St Car Park I did another circuit of our wonderful one-way system and was lucky to be able to dive into a small space on Broad Street.

The traffic was nose to tail so I parked as close as I could to the kerb but have to admit that I was about 9/10" from the kerb, but in no way did I impede any through traffic.

In fact I can go so far to say that a Pantechnican could have driven down the length of Broad Street and my car would not have been a problem. I returned to my car ten minutes later heavily laden with my parcels to find a "Fixed Penalty Notice" attached to my windscreen. The day before Christmas – a £50 penalty.

Is it any wonder that the traders of Ross are suffering? I, for one, will not be venturing into Ross for the foreseeable future. I, quite frankly, cannot afford it.

Best wishes to all you Herefordshire Council Employees who have no common sense, compassion or spirit of the season.

S Cotterell, Ross