Petersfield traffic chaos due to coffee prices shocker

Petersfield is likely to remain without a traffic warden for some time - because the town's coffee shops are too expensive.

East Hampshire District Council is desperate to prevent the quadruple parking in the town which is becoming commonplace. But attempts to recruit a new traffic warden have proved fruitless.

One applicant, who wished to remain anonymous, was only too happy to tell Petersfield Newswire why he did not take the position.

Kerr Parker said: "Being a traffic warden is a solitary pursuit - and you don't have many friends. That doesn't particularly bother me as I'm a Conservative and a football referee, so I'm familiar with the feeling.

"But the only rest and chance for sustenance when you're wandering the streets is to pop in for a cup of coffee. And on a traffic warden's salary that's just not possible in Petersfield. The average cost for a cup of coffee here is more than £2.50 and my wife only gives me £3 as a daily allowance.

"The cheapest place to get a coffee is the town's football club where it's just 50p. But they only serve it at half-time when there's a game at Love Lane, so that's no use to me."

A spokesman for East Hampshire District Council said: "This is news to us. We weren't aware there were any coffee shops in Petersfield. Perhaps one of us should get out from behind our desk and actually go and see what's happening in the town. Tell me, do they still have a livestock market and stocks?"