I WAS so glad to read your report about the sudden implementation of penalties at the Victoria Centre car park, Consett, County Durham (Echo, some editions, Nov 2).

I feel that Highview Ltd, the company that owns the car park, should have given drivers more warning that free parking was going to stop. It’s as though it appeared overnight.

I was unaware that the two-hour rule was in force until I received a £50 fine in September.

My crime was to park up at 2.53pm and return at 5.01pm – eight minutes late.

Good luck to all those who refuse to pay. It is highway robbery.

Janet Charlton, Stanley Village, Crook, Co Durham.

I AM writing on behalf of my wife who suffers from multiple sclerosis. We own a Renault Kangoo with disabled access and she likes to shop at Consett as the town centre is easy to get to.

We parked in the Victoria Centre car park on October 1 from 14:43:32 to 17:40:23 not realising there was a two-hour rule. My wife has been in a wheelchair for nine years and has a blue disabled parking badge which was displayed on the front dashboard of the car.

We received a parking charge notice of £50, which my wife paid promptly as she was frightened of having to pay £75 after 28 days.

I think it is a disgrace and would not shop at Consett again.

P Gent, Crook, Co Durham.