I HAVE been a resident in Kingsmead for 20 years.

During this time I have had to contend with the limited parking that is available for residents who wish to use the shopping centre.

I have noticed over the years that having a business such as a nursery on site is not catered for.

There have been cars parked there for hours and hours when residents usually want to just pop in and use the shops.

I have rarely parked outside of bays and have never used the disabled bays.

However last week I stopped for two minutes to post a letter and decided that I wouldn’t park in front of Tesco where there are yellow lines but use a gap on the side where there are none.

I was blocking no-one.

As a resident I have not been formally notified of any change to parking or to charges.

Yet a week later I have a parking fine for a mammoth £60.

My ticket confirms that I was there for less than two minutes.

I feel this is outrageous, and that at the very least we should have had clear advance notification of the changes through the post.

Parking was a problem, but this really isn’t going to help anyone – least of all the residents in streets near the car park.

There are of course many signs now, but when you have been parking in the square for 20 years this sudden change comes as quite a shock.

I have written to the parish council but would ask if there is anything the Guardian can do to raise awareness of this issue it would be appreciated.

Diane Brown Via email