Traders have said a compromise offer over parking by the city council is nothing more than a joke.

In fact, the increase in both the number of trader permits and the length of time they can be used is a real concession and should be accepted as such.

Where the traders are right is to seek further concessions over the vexed issues of parking waivers.

There is no reason why traders shouldn't pay in the same way as other drivers for parking in crowded city streets.

But the bureaucracy they have to go through each time they want a waiver is wasteful and time-consuming. It should be stopped.

What traders and residents who moan about parking should accept is that there simply aren't enough parking spaces for everyone who needs them.

As car ownership grows, the problem will get worse and the council has to ration spaces as fairly as it can. The losers will not like it and will moan