Dear LPG, 

I read on the internet recently that there are quite a few pensioners who can still get around behind the wheel of a car and, despite all the financial implications and new technology that I strongly believe has been put in place to deter us, we are still not just a minority. 

Many of us are having to get used to a newer car with computerised habits all because the government has outlawed our long-loved vehicles and, while getting where you are going is a challenge, one of the major obstacles can often be just finding somewhere to park without complications once you arrive. Most drivers will have noticed that there are more and more places where you can only park if you have the ability to use a mobile phone and are willing to give your bank details away.  I wonder how many of us older drivers remember when putting air in your tyres was something that you could do for free.  I remember when garages started charging 20p, which we thought outrageous, but during the past 5 years the price of a three-minute inflating session is another thing that has crept up and up.

While I still lament over the car that ULEZ forced me to part with, I do understand the need for cleaner air and ozone layer protection, although the thought of having to stop and wait for an electricity charge every 300 miles or so doesn’t seem like a good prospect, however the compulsory electric car is a few years away yet.

But they are coming.  My local garage used to have some parking bays behind its building but a few weeks ago the barriers went up and the workmen were in evidence. I remember commenting that the electric pumps were coming when asked what I thought was going on and I was right.  The Amazon storage boxes, tyre-air and water dispensers also disappeared for a while.

But last time I visited the building work was done and the new electric charging, air and water pumps were in place.  When paying for my petrol I asked about the new price of filling my tyres and I was a little surprised that it now costs £1.00, but what I found even more surprising was that you can no longer put money in a slot to pay for the privilege, you are expected to pay by card.  

I have now joined the band of people who have a tyre-inflating machine of their own. 

OW, Lewisham