I am sure I was not the only city resident incensed by the introduction of the administrative fee for residents’ parking permits but accepted it in good grace and with the belief it would assist in tighter enforcement of parking restrictions in my zone.

So imagine my disbelief to find I had received a penalty charge notice at 10pm on Sunday, July 14, while two vehicles parked in residents’ parking places without appropriate resident/visitor permits on the opposite side of the road got off scot-free.

Perhaps if the civil enforcement officer had been more vigilant, there might have been a space for me (a resident with a correct permit) to park and safely unload three sleepy children into my residence late on a hot Sunday evening.

Interestingly, when I went out to find a permitted parking space at 8am the following day, these two vehicles were still without a penalty charge notice.

I suggest that the powers-that-be would be better spending their money addressing the issue of hugely increased traffic and unpermitted car parking around Hinksey Park on hot days as opposed to paying overtime for civil enforcement officers to hand out parking tickets to residents at 10pm on a Sunday.

I have challenged the notice, so common sense may yet prevail.

Phoebe Hart

Chilswell Road Oxford