ON Saturday afternoon I parked in the Melrose car park. When I returned I had a ticket on the window for overstay parking. I had paid until 4pm. I had overstayed by 40 minutes

ON Saturday afternoon I parked in the Melrose car park. When I returned I had a ticket on the window for overstay parking. I had paid until 4pm. I had overstayed by 40 minutes. The attendant put the ticket on at 4.27pm. I was in the wrong but I was shocked that as I had put a ticket on the car I was fined £35 if I pay within seven days or £70 after that. This is £5 less than if I hadn't bothered to buy a ticket at all. I feel this is very unfair and that you should be able to pay for the extra time and not be fined over-the-top charges. I have written to North Somerset with my complaint and posted it by hand on Saturday evening but you only have seven days or the charges go up. If they don't reply quickly, which is possible, I shall be forced to pay before they reply or face the extra charges. I do feel this is getting yet more money from the motorist.K THORNE - Churchward Road, Worle