I HAVE agreed to pay a parking penalty charge of £30 -- but under protest.

Driving from the other side of Rochdale to see a play at the Octagon, I drove past the theatre and turned right into Victoria Square. There was one space left, but, after parking, I noticed the Loading Bay sign. I debated this with my wife and we decided that, since cars were already parked there, and as all the buildings were closed and in darkness, parking would be permissable at this time in the evening (after 7pm).

It turned out to be an expensive night at the theatre -- £20 for tickets plus £30 parking fine, with a 30-mile round trip on top.

It might be pointed out that there's a car park not far from the theatre -- which I only realised when driving away later that evening. A sign on the main road points to the theatre sure enough. But unless you know the area (which I don't), you are unaware that the car park serves the theatre because there's no sign to tell you.

I want to make clear that I have no problem with parking restrictions and penalties, when properly and sensibly applied. In this case, I feel that Bolton MBC, instead of actively encouraging people to the town, are being somewhat over-zealous -- after all, Victoria Square is a cul-de-sac, everywhere was shut, so loading or unloading wouldn't be taking place at that late hour. But I shall certainly think twice (if not more) in future about coming to the Octagon if the council is so rigorous and unsympathetic in how it treats visitors.

T Smith

Cedar Lane

Milnrow, Rochdale