WITH reference to the article about parking restrictions in Heworth and Heslington (December 14), I feel the emphasis is wrong. The fact that parking is now being more rigorously enforced is not the problem; the problem lies in restrictions.

I believe in using local shops as opposed to supermarkets. We have excellent shops in Heworth, but parking restrictions are forcing people away on the grounds that it's easier to go to the supermarket. The restrictions are going to cause local people to lose their livelihoods and residents a valuable local resource.

I suggest the council rethink its policy and replace the restrictions with ten or 20-minute restrictions, so people can still park and shop, before it is too late and we lose the shops altogether. It is unrealistic to think you are going to get people out of their cars, they will shop elsewhere if it is inconvenient locally.

Catharine Morris,

Stockton Lane,

York.