MADAM, Herefordshire Council's perceived requirement for higher car parking charges in Ross is a direct result of their increase in enforcement costs.

Two years ago the car parks were checked by one traffic warden (Barry) who also covered other towns, now there are two and sometimes three wardens in Ross alone. I estimate the cost of enforcement to have increased by £120,000 a year as wardens cost almost three times their salary when backup staff, management, legal, uniform and equipment cost are included.

The pay of the senior officers who are demanding these increases (which are rumoured to be up to 100%) is proportional to the staff they manage, so they will only cut enforcement costs if directed to do so by Councillors.

Tony Meakin,

Ross