In his letter, Mr Lim Boon Seng lamented the fact that private property owners often place objects to reserve parking spaces (Act against landed property owners who reserve parking spaces on road; March 21).

He was also upset by how the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had adopted "a community approach by advising residents to ensure the objects they place outside their homes do not pose a safety hazard or obstruct other road users".

In another letter, Madam Koh Tai Kiang suggested that the authorities could build more parking spaces to reduce the problem(Multi-storey carparks can alleviate parking problem in landed estates; March 23). LTA did not respond to her letter.

Recently, I received a letter from LTA stating that it is an offence to place objects in a public street and that the offence carries a fine of up to $2,000, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of up to $100 per day.

Whatever happened to LTA's community approach to ensure a win-win situation?

With limited parking spaces in landed estates, residents have no choice other than to reserve a space.

LTA should not take such a high-handed approach of threatening a hefty fine. Instead, it should look into Madam Koh's suggestion of building more parking spaces.

It will take time to build these facilities.

Meanwhile, LTA could implement a paid-parking scheme with designated slots reserved for residents during certain hours, and open to all at other times - pretty much like the bi-coloured parking spaces in Housing Board blocks.

Parking problems should not be taken lightly as these are daily occurrences that cause unnecessary stress. There have been many cases of such issues escalating into fights and acts of vandalism, such as tyres being punctured.

Could LTA please look into the parking problem in landed estates as soon as possible, before the situation get worse?

Vincent Ong Kok Lam