I READ with interest the report May 22, ‘Avoid the ticket traps’.

This may be good advice for careless, lazy, inconsiderate, thoughtless and self-centred motorists but for those who know and abide by the Highway Code such advice is unnecessary.

As a nation we vote and pay for MPs to introduce legislation, such as the Traffic Management Act 2004, on our behalf. We also elect and pay for local government officials to decide where it is appropriate to apply such legislation.

The implementation of traffic management legislation is based on certain criteria such as the need to improve road and footpath safety, reduce accidents, improve traffic flow and prevent nuisance to residents etc. This provides positive benefits for local communities.

To be successful, legislation must be fully supported by enforcement. This may be unpopular with the perpetrators but it is an essential requirement for victim support.

In my opinion, civil enforcement officers are undervalued and are the unsung heroes of public service. These people really are on the rough end of frontline services. They are there to improve our environment but just look at what happens to them throughout the country. They are subjected to verbal abuse, threats of violence, people spitting at them and physical attacks etc.

Yes, they issue fines but in the majority of cases only to those who deserve to receive one. If anyone disagrees with their fine they have the right to appeal and after appeal rejection are entitled to use a free independent arbitration service. Most fines are paid because the offenders know that they have committed an offence.

It is obvious that the central areas of town attract higher levels of traffic and require more civil enforcement patrols to prevent problems. However, locations outside of the town centre are neglected by Swindon Council. We seldom see civil enforcement officers on patrol in Wroughton. Consequently, offenders know that they can park in disabled bays without a blue badge or on yellow lines etc with impunity.

Residents of Wroughton pay taxes so why don’t we receive a proportionate level of civil enforcement support?

The council makes a healthy profit from civil enforcement and car parks so why not recruit more officers to improve borough-wide enforcement? This would also provide a few additional jobs for the town.

MR K KANE Wroughton Swindon