I needed a blood test at Hawkshead Surgery today, so I drove to the Lake District National Park Authoirty car park that patients are allowed to use for free.

Believing that the ‘old’ system was still in place, I asked the receptionist for the sheet where I enter my registration details. The list is sent

off to LDNPA regularly and this ensures no fines are imposed on patients.

This worked well and I never heard a bad word about it, either from patients or surgery staff - until today.

“No sheet anymore, Peter. The system’s changed,” I was told. “Would you mind taking this permit to your vehicle and putting it on the dashboard, please?”

So I do as I am told and put the permit (in its sealed A4 size laminated pouch) on the dashboard. Before I can close my vehicle door, the wind had blown it on to the floor. This happened three times.

Then I made my way back to the surgery, had my blood test and said goodbye the staff. I thought I was leaving. “Peter, please remember to bring your permit back.” “OK," I said.

Then I retrieved the permit from my vehicle, returned it to the surgery and walked back to my vehicle.

So the new improved (?) system involved siz trips! The old system - two.

I would like to know who is responsible for making this ridiculous decision and for what reason.

At present I have an infected trachea and become breathless very quickly. My problem is small compared to those who have serious walking problems:

people with walking frames, mobility scooters and walking sticks and those with heart conditions. And what about young mothers with two or three very young children?

The decision to change a perfectly good system without consulting local people is arrogant and cruel.

Peter Brown

Satterthwaite

l Editor's note: The Westmorland Gazette contacted the Lake District National Park Authority after receiving Mr Brown's letter and here is a response from Simon Hill, its Commercial Property Manager.

We have been working with the Hawkshead doctor’s surgery to operate a system whereby patients aren’t charged for short term visits.

We recently installed new pay and display machines across eight of our paid parking locations in the National Park and therefore created a new ‘permit’ approach to accommodate patients at Hawkshead.

However, it is clear that this new system is not working as well as we had hoped. We have spoken to the surgery and have agreed to work together to find a new solution to be put in place as soon as possible.

We apologise to Mr Brown for any inconvenience caused.