Sir.-I would like to express some concerns regarding the proposed parking restrictions in the area around The Green and Tadley Primary School.

As congestion is a problem at the moment, would it not be prudent to increase the parking made available to parents dropping children off at school, with access and egress to The Green made easier?

It seems almost perverse to make life harder for them.

As a parent whose children walk to the school, I feel that the new restrictions pose an increased risk to them from drivers who are struggling to drop/pick up their children and not fully concentrating on the road.

If parents who drive do not have enough parking opportunities, they are left with no option than dropping off where they can, thus causing traffic-flow problems and an increased risk to not only their children but to all those who walk.

In anticipation of the introduction of the scheme, parents have already started parking on the New Park estate, particularly the top of Farringdon Way, causing obvious traffic problems there, coupled with the additional hazards that brings.

Has a risk assessment been carried out to fully mitigate against the new hazards created by the proposed parking restrictions? If so, would it be possible to view the risk assessment?

It saddens me to think that, in this day and age, not all parties concerned were involved in the proposed change. It seems that local government still subscribes to autocracy while riding roughshod over the needs of the people who pay their salaries.

I would like to think that, even at this late stage, the plans could be postponed until all interested parties have had a say on this complex issue and a consensus opinion can be formed for the best way forward.

-S Farmer, Farringdon Way, Tadley.

Sir.-I write in utter dismay at a quote from Tadley town councillor Terry Faulkner.

He states that it is the Tadley school's responsibility to inform parents of new parking regulations in Gravelly Close, Rectory Close and The Green.

How can this be so? Tadley school staff are not responsible for these areas, nor are they responsible for the planning decisions made (supposedly) on behalf of residents.

The parents who need to drive to the school will simply have to park elsewhere, passing the problem on to residents in neighbouring roads, including the area around the swimming pool.

Parking at The Green is not ideal but it does work, to some extent, and doesn't cause any real problems for residents - who might have to manoeuvre a bit, and if they can't, in my opinion they shouldn't be driving.

I would like to know what the council intends to do when the parents flout any new rules and park at The Green anyway? Will it issue hundreds of parking tickets each week or clamp all the cars?

These measures will simply line the council coffers. Maybe there is a reason for these new parking restrictions after all?

Please remember, Cllr Faulkner, that passing the buck to David Cottrell, a decent and hard-working headteacher, will not win you any votes - he has enough to do as it is.

Please come out of your shell for a little while and try to sort out this issue on behalf of your town. Children will be in mortal danger if their parents are forced to park elsewhere so, Basingstoke and Deane, please see sense and leave well enough alone.

-Michelle Shewring, Droxford Crescent, Tadley.

Sir.-Proof this week shows more people could walk to school. With the roadworks on the A340 in Tadley, I have noticed less traffic each day around The Green.

Over the years, some bad and thoughtless parking from drivers has caused great concern to the residents. If emergency vehicles were needed, it could prove difficult - near impossible - to reach the destination.

So drivers, please remember the residents have rights as well.

As the lollipop lady, in my 28th year, I'm upset at a statement made by Mrs Beavis about the danger of crossing at lights on Main Road, not Fairlawn Road as stated.

I have always had an understanding with children that they never step into the road when the lights change until I say it's okay.

I'm there for incoming and outgoing of children, and, am proud to say, have never had an accident.

Drivers jumping red lights happens occasionally. In fact, I had one this week - it was a parent!

Regarding the claim about the damaged railings, this happened about 10 years ago - there's been nothing recently.

-Joyce Lambden MBE, Lollipop lady, Tadley.

Sir.-I wish to express my support for Mrs Beavis' comments.

I have needed to push my children out of the way of oncoming traffic when using this crossing, even when the lights are on red and the green man is on.

On one occasion, a car clipped the back of my daughter's shoe as I pushed her to the other side of the road. She was aged only six at the time.

By restricting parking at The Green, it is also an attack on working parents and on those with children at more than one school, who have no option but to drive.

Is the council going to provide a free school bus or employ people to walk the children to school safely?

-N Heales, Spencer Close, Pamber Heath, Tadley.

Sir.-We have had to endure dangerous parking from parents of pupils at the Tadley school for years, and have had a barrage of abuse from parents when we ask them not to block or turn in our drives.

Last year, my car was damaged to the tune of £150 through irresponsible people turning in our driveway.

When we had new Tarmac laid on our drive, people were not only driving through it but actually grinding their tyres into the newly-finished surface, in spite of the warning signs.

We have to cope with drivers parking on corners and double parking, which would be catastrophic if an emergency vehicle needed access.

Most of the children live well within walking distance, as demonstrated recently, due to roadworks on the main road when, because of delays, parents were actually walking their children to school.

So why not do this all year round, like we had to when we were young?

There is a pelican crossing on the main road, which is manned twice a day by a lollipop lady, so surely this is less dangerous than children stepping onto the road to avoid parked cars on the pavement?

I actually now have to time when I can and cannot drive back to my own home to avoid the risk of not being able to get on to my driveway.

I am quite sure that the protesting parents would feel exactly the same as we do if their road was blocked twice a day by irresponsible and, indeed, illegal parking.

-Name and address withheld.