WYCOMBE District Council in a parking update on page 18 of its Community Voice magazine tells us that in regulating off-street car parks: "We do not fine people for failing to comply with terms and conditions but there are different levels of charge."

We are told that it is the police or county council contractors who fine offenders for on street offences, not Wycombe council.

Wycombe council only imposes charges, as if that eases the pain for anyone paying the council's charge for a minor parking violation in a council car park.

The article boasts that "pay and display machines are provided where small charges are applicable".

Try telling motorists parking in Marlow that the charges are small, when it is dearer to park in Marlow than it is in Wycombe and Bourne End.

The high parking charges are the reason why commuters to Marlow park all day under on- street parking restriction notices, and increasingly disfigure residential neighbourhoods with their cars.

The council admits in a staggering under-statement that, "many areas outside the SPA (Special Parking Area) are not well controlled and different systems lead to confusion".

Then incredibly it asks the reader "confused?" and continues: "Well you certainly could be." And of course we are, confused by the council's weasel words.

While parking anarchy exists here in Marlow, we take no comfort from being told that the SPA, at the centre of High Wycombe is the only place in the district where parking is under control.

As the council continues to ignore the parking anarchy on the streets of Marlow we are being reassured: "WDC and BCC are working closely together to see if they can make life less complicated and easier for us."

As these are the councils that have presided over the parking policies that have led us to where we are now, we are entitled to be pessimistic, disillusioned and totally dissatisfied.

J D Burnham Harwood Road Marlow