This is a classic case of a big organisation wielding its power over the small guy.

Where would this end?

Also, Steve had paid £20 up front for the bet – interest on that money had been gained by Totesport, not Steve. Not a lot of money, I admit, but could mount up if several of these so-called mistakes had been made.

They should take it on the chin and pay up.

If they are worried that an error could cost them money, then Totesport should put in place procedures to prevent this happening.

An example of this would be to have to have a supervisor countersignature when winnings would exceed a certain value.

This is not rocket science.

Pay up Totesport and get yourself some good publicity!
Rob Fairbanks,
Buckingham Close, Northampton.

Parking muddle needs sorting
I welcome Steve Josiah's open letter to me about the problems with parking and cycling on pavements.

I agree it is a major issue for many people in the town and I share his frustration at the apparent lack of ability of local authorities to tackle it.

As Mr Josiah's local borough councillor, I will lobby and campaign to get the county council and the police to work together to solve the issue.

But I must point out that the responsibility for traffic and parking enforcement is with them and not the borough council.

Recent legislation has not helped as it has made the whole situation a complete muddle as to who can do what.

So the police are responsible for issuing tickets for all moving traffic offences, which includes cycling on a pavement or without lights.

They also have the power to ticket cars or get them removed where the vehicle is causing an obstruction.

But they cannot issue tickets for parking on a yellow line.

The county council's traffic wardens have the power to deal with cars parked on yellow lines, or with wheels on a pavement.

The police can issue a ticket for parking on the pavement or verge but only if they observe the vehicle being driven onto the pavement or verge.

Finding one there is not, apparently, sufficient proof it was driven there!

Overall, this is an example of messed-up legislation and confused responsibilities which seems common under the current Government.

Certainly, wearing my other hat as a prospective MP, it is something I would want to get changed through Parliament.

Perhaps, in the interim, Mr Josiah should ask his current MP what she will do about it?

I would suggest the following as a minimum:
Police should be able to issue tickets for any illegal or irresponsible parking.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) should be given increased powers including the power to deal with parking and some traffic offences.

Parking wardens, PCSOs and the borough council's neighbourhood wardens and other enforcement officers should be able to issue fixed penalty notices to those cycling on the pavement or without lights at night.

That way, there could be more people with the power to take action and it would be clear who was responsible.

In the meantime, I hope Mr Josiah and others will join with me in campaigning to get this ridiculous position changed.
Councillor Andrew Simpson,
Liberal Democrat, Kingsley Ward, Northampton Borough Council.

Curious case of cannabis farms
Every week on TV we are seeing police raiding these cannabis farms . . .eight in Northamptonshire since January.

Every one that is shown on TV shows a house full of plants and, above all, lots of what must be very expensive equipment.

The lamps alone must cost a fortune, together with the air trunking which is also a specialised item. Lots of sockets and wiring, as well as a great many large plant pots.

The thing that intrigues me is the supply of this equipment.

Where do they get it from? Who supplies it? I would think the suppliers must know what it could be used for. Why do they not tip off the police?

Perhaps the police do know where it comes from and are reluctant to tell us.

I don't want any for myself you understand, I am just curious to know why it seems so easy for these people to get hold of it.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me.
B A Denny,
Burcote Road,Towcester.

Park cafe backers will rue the day
Democrazy, Lib Dem style, reported by Wayne Bontoft regarding the damaged toilet block application to conversion into a cafe: 324 local people against and Northampton borough councillors backing the application.

Democracy? It has been rubber-stamped.

Planning officer Jonathan Moore states the plan, if granted, "could assist in crime prevention by increasing surveillance".

What does he think I've been doing for the last 10 years?

All my phone calls have been ignored or just a crime reference given.

I was asked to approach felons to see who they were but, being crippled with arthritis, and having had a triple heart bypass and unable to walk far, there was no chance of that.

Now the Lib Dems are trying to say the park is not a "country park", despite their signs saying it is.

As most people visit to walk to Mereway Tescos or walk their dogs, they are local and will not be buying from a cafe when they are only yards from home.

If the police have no objections to the cafe, why have they asked for bollards, anti-graffiti paint and steel shutters on windows and doors?
If this goes ahead, applicant Mr Ingle and the council will rue the day!
Alan Johns,
Sentinel Road, West Hunsbury, Northampton.