It is no good announcing this year’s East Barnet Festival was absolutely brilliant, if many visitors were fined and no parking facilities were made available, (‘Parking killjoys’, Times Series, July 8).

Those fined would not feel the festival was brilliant.

Organiser Barry Ainsworth ought to consider reimbursing those fined, if their appeals against the penalty charge notices are not upheld.

The parks department at Barnet Council must have issued a licence to the organisers of the festival and realised many thousands would visit the park.

I suggest the council in its wisdom should have made parking space available.

Apparently, there were no notices or road signs banning or warning motorist not to park along Churchill Road close to the park.

The council statement that vehicles were parked in a dangerous manner does not ring true.

If that was the case, then they should have been removed to make access for emergency services.

Furthermore, the police milling among the crowd at the festival could have been contacted to make an announcement to the owners to return and remove those vehicles considered to be causing an offence.

The issue of PCNs did not relieve the so-called dangerous situation as the vehicles stayed there until the owners made their way home.

As a result, people will stay away from these so-called free community events. When was it ever free, if it costs a £50 fine?

It is no wonder people feel aggrieved by the shoddy treatment received.

For myself, I will stay away and not allow myself to be caught out by these council tactics and wish those appealing against the fines my wholehearted support.

John Laurence, Hamilton Road, Barnet