LAST year, when I was staying with friends in Ross-on-Wye, I was told how they had been fined £75 because their parking ticket at the Courtyard theatre had expired by 20 minutes.

Their appeal was rejected and they paid the fine as they were told that pressure would be applied in the form of letters from bailiffs etc. They have not been to the Courtyard since.

I had almost forgotten about this until someone in my own area in Cheshire killed themselves in a similar situation.

I have been told that, if you do not pay, the pressure is intolerable.

In 2012 a law was passed in the Commons enabling owners of private car parks to pursue people who park on their land illegally. However, they were allowed only to apply for charges which they had lost, in my friends’ case this would have been a mere 30p.

Unfortunately, MPs made no attempt to police the situation they created and a money-grabbing industry has arisen, charging some people as much as £100 for an expired ticket.

I therefore urge people to write to their MP requesting that the 2012 legislation is enacted in a proper manner and motorists are charged only for the length of time that they have paid for.

A ticket which is paid for on leaving would surely be preferable.

ROBERT M SMITHSON Stalybridge, Cheshire