LAST week I travelled by Stage-coach bus from the bus station, up the hill to Old Town.

In contrast to recent letters in your columns, the service was punctual, and the driver friendly, courteous and helpful.

With a pram in tow, the low floor buses operated in Swindon are a big help. However, on this day they were of little use.

Unfortunately, in order to be useful, the bus needs to draw close to the kerb to allow the entrance platform to be on, or by, the pavement.

Buses are large things which cannot possibly get near the pavement when there are seven (yes, seven!) other vehicles illegally parked in the bus stop outside the Adver offices and on double yellow lines.

At the same time, five vehicles were blocking the bus stop outside the Post Office on the opposite side of the road.

It was difficult, and possibly dangerous, to negotiate with a pram the step down to the road and the blockade of vehicles before reaching the safety of the pavement.

1) When are people going to stop being so selfish and not park illegally?

Assuming the answer is never:

2) Why aren't the parking restrictions in this town enforced?

On the same day a lorry driver decided to double park in Wood Street, completely blocking the road to traffic.

Ambulances and fire engines use Wood Street as an emergency short cut to the hospital.

It is an important route, not just a free parking place. Very rapidly, traffic backed up into High Street and Cricklade Street causing further delays.

All this on a normal weekday morning. Perhaps Old Town should have its own dedicated traffic warden.

(Mrs) KATHRYN READ

The Mall

Swindon