I HAVE been caught on a speed camera doing 36mph in a 30mph zone -- my first motoring offence in 28 years' driving.

I had been to work and been blocked in the car park. My son needed my car to go and submit his coursework to university, otherwise he would be late.

But it is no excuse for my speeding as my son was once hit by a car travelling at 25mph and was told he might have died had it been doing 30mph, so I appreciate efforts to stop speeders.

However, I, like many other people, feel irritated with myself and with the system of speed cameras and fixed penalties.

What makes me more frustrated is that a few yards round the corner from where I was caught on camera, people daily flout Traffic regulations causing chaos in the rush hour and, more importantly, danger to the children who attend the primary school on that road.

The police did not reply to a letter of complaint I sent some time ago and I have seen police slow down as they notice offenders, but then drive off taking no action.

Traffic wardens patrol the area just across Barbara Castle Way in Blackburn as many of the people working in the buildings there have no parking spaces.

Yet, they do not cross the highway to issue tickets to the illegal parkers, many of whom switch on their parking lights and leave their children in the back seat, trying to claim immunity.

My 'penalty letter' included a phrase about trying to make the community safer. Very admirable, but only if they mean the whole community.

JULIE HARRIS, Cornwall Road, Rishton.