As chairman of North London University of the Third Age, I am writing on behalf of our members living in Barnet, to add my voice to the protest against increased parking charges.

North London U3A is part of a nationwide self-help educational organisation of people no longer in full-time work.

Most of our classes are held in members’ homes and the majority are pensioners.

The enormous increase in the cost of visitors’ parking vouchers will hit people who are living on lower incomes and may well cause some of our members to no longer be able to host classes.

Councillor Brian Coleman may think it is funny to say of this increase, “I never knowingly undercharge” (Times Series, January 27), but this is no laughing matter to our members.

His party leader speaks of a big Society of volunteers helping the community. His proposed action may damage a part of volunteer community work which was in existence many years before David Cameron came to power.

Janet Home
chairman, North London U3A