Comment on Villagers divided on yellow lines as congestion solution from page 9

PARKING seems to be a perennial problem for most towns.

In some areas, like the town centre, the issue is cost and the effect charges have on trade. Is the cost and hassle of purchasing a parking ticket putting off people from shopping locally?

In other places, it is a lack of spaces. In Shoreham, villagers believe they are not equipped to cope with 21st- century lifestyles.

How many families these days have just one car?

There are very few and now there is anger at the parking situation in the village.

It is not often one hears calls for yellow lines to be introduced – but Shoreham is doing just that.

People fear there will be accidents unless action is taken. Feelings have reached such fever pitch that one protester was threatened with eviction from a heated parish council meeting.

Now one street is to have yellow lines and residents nearby will have to keep campaigning for theirs.

One things is for certain – this problem is only going to get worse.

There is a need for a radical re-think in our lives.

We are wedded to our cars.

Nothing can prise us from them.

We moan at petrol prices while happily driving around the corner on an errand that could be carried out on foot.

But life is too hectic for us to waste a second – let's just jump in the car.

Public transport is inadequate and we can never be persuaded to use it.

If only buses could be reliable and more regular, then more might be convinced to jump aboard.

And more passengers means more buses, and maybe more drivers.

In a small way, we could all boost the economy by ditching the Daihatsu and boarding the bus.

There are No Smoking Days and this week we had Safer Internet Day.

How about a Take The Bus week?

And when we are all in our seats, we can talk with our neighbours and improve community relations at the same time? Who's on board?