Further to the recent spate of letters on the new parking laws, I would like to add our areas problem.
We live in an area with parking for eight cars but there is a club and a pub in the vicinity. My wife works shifts and sometimes when she returns home our spaces are full with visitors to these premises.
Vehicles are often left overnight, although the club has a car park which is rarely used. My wife parked overnight on yellow lines and got a ticket early the next morning.
Why should there be an abutment with yellow lines covering the 20ft to the residents parking area, this would create an additional space for us, and secondly, why do the little men in blue never visit the area after 3pm.
When I phoned the council to complain I was told to call the police. Do they not have enough to do? I am curious to know why we should have to pay to park or be fined so that others can go drinking.
Name and address supplied.

I would like to respond to the letter headed 'Taking life in your hands', (Neighbourhood Views, February 25).
As a council we have made a considerable investment in both Newton and St Helens cemeteries and this is beginning to have a significant effect in the positive comments made by visitors.
As part of this investment, and to acknowledge the concerns relating to traffic within St Helens cemetery, we have introduced a barrier system which allows access to only those vulnerable members of the community who may have difficulty in walking to some parts of the cemetery.
The action in restricting such access has been acknowledged to have significantly reduced traffic within the cemetery and this has helped to make the cemetery a safer place to visit and to work in. I am therefore surprised that your reader suggests that the situation has deteriorated.
As well as a better control of access, officers police the movement of traffic within the cemetery and any dangerous and disrespectful driving is challenged. In addition any damage caused by irresponsible motorists is rectified as soon as possible.
I do hope that your readers have found the cemeteries to be greatly improved as a result of the council's investment, which will continue in order to make these areas places of serenity and peace for the community of St Helens.
Stephen Massey,
assistance director, Public and Environment Protection,
St Helens Council.


I should like to thank the person who handed in my shopping bags in Marks and Spencer on Friday afternoon. I am a pensioner and didn't think there were any honest folk left.
Name and address supplied.


With regard to your front page story about the homeless flats being built on Yates Court in Prescot (Reporter, February 18), I would like to add my disgust at Maggi Howard, Knowsley Housing Trust's director of regeneration.
She stated she acknowledges local people's concerns - what a load of rubbish, this deal was signed and sealed long before any residents meetings.
This development is being built next to a medical centre and sheltered accommodation for elderly and disabled people, plus home owners who will now find their homes impossible to sell.
At a time when Eccleston Street - the main shopping parade in Prescot - is declining and run down, this council and Maggi Howard can find £2.4m to build these flats. What a disgrace.
Leo Riley,
South Avenue,
Prescot.