If the problems of parking in Haworth were not so serious the scenario should be nominated for a modern pantomime script.

Not that long ago council officials and elected members were baying for the blood of a private car park owner who has the temerity to clamp motorists who stay over the paid-for time limit.

His actions, they claim, are damaging the vital tourism trade, which in turn is hitting local businesses.

Now someone else is at it. Traders have been threatened with £25 parking tickets if they continue to park in residents-only spaces on the bustling Main Street.

That sword of justice is being wielded by the same people who are protesting about the £25 charge for clamping.

Trying to resolve the problems of parking in Haworth is like juggling with soot. Just as long as people insist on being able to park within feet of their front doors - both domestic and business - the problems will only increase.

It is not going to go away, and a fully integrated policy with everyone working together must be the way forward.

Let's hope the bid for a parish council at Haworth whizzes through as fast as it takes to issue a parking ticket. Resolving the parking issue would make an excellent first item on their agenda - by the village for the village.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.