Dear Editor,
My friend owns a business on Robb Street, and is having a hard time attracting customers because of the new parallel parking rules that were put in effect by the Traffic Department of the Police Force. Potential customers have to find parking on Waterloo Street, which is also near impossible. His downturn in sales affects his VAT contribution, which in turn leads to less revenue in the government coffers. I am sure other businesses are feeling the same pain.
He felt the brunt of the law when a friend visited in the late evening to collect a package. She was sitting in the car when an officer came up and threatened to write a ticket, even though the engine was running! Whether she was a victim of ‘leff or write’ only God knows. While I understand the need to ease traffic congestion, the Traffic Chief should have had a meeting with the stakeholders to address how the change would affect them, and also to implement a customer friendly arrangement such as a one hour limit for parking or another workable alternative.
Yours faithfully,
Yuri Westmaas
