I AM writing in reply to E Atkinson's letter about his views on having to pay £30 for parking in his own street.

I take it you are able-bodied and able to walk from your garage, or wherever you park your car! Well, unfortunately, my five-year-old son isn't as lucky, and to be able to park in front of our own house or anywhere else we may wish to go, would be a huge help! So what if we are exempt from paying the fee? I know I would rather pay the money and have a child with no mobility difficulties. The "Class of cars", as you word it, are, in most cases, Motability cars. Cars that have been carefully chosen to suit our own disabilities to make ease of use in getting in and out.

Oh, another point, they don't come free -- the Disability Benefit is surrendered to pay for it.

C Booth

Horwich