A MAN who was fined £70 for parking in a bay with “illegal” markings is refusing to pay the penalty.
Wayne Woolridge was slapped with the penalty charge after parking in what he thought was a disability space in Staffordshire.
SWNSWayne was slapped with a fine for parking in a ‘loading bay’[/caption]
SWNSHe claims the markings weren’t visible enough[/caption]
The 58-year-old said a traffic warden ticketed his vehicle for parking in a loading bay on Wolverhampton Road, in Cannock.
But he claimed the bay wasn’t clearly marked and there wasn’t a visible sign.
He fumed: “The markings are completely illegible, not just wear and tear. Instead of rejecting it straight away, they should have come to inspect it.”
Mr Woolridge appealed the £70 penalty – which is reduced to £35 if paid within two weeks.
However, the council refused claiming the markings was due to “wear and tear”.
He blasted the situation “ridiculous” as it “wasn’t the money, but the principle.”
He said: “The council has no compassion. It’s just a money raiser.”
Wayne said the strict rules are not only affecting residents but also business owners at the high street.
He added: “It’s not about me. If I pay, I pay, but I am concerned for the people of Cannock.
“It’s detrimental to business owners and it’s a deterrent for people shopping in Cannock as there is a zero tolerance on any misdemeanours.
“A shopkeeper came out and said it’s a disgrace they’ve reported the illegible road markings to the council on numerous occasions and nothing has been done.
“They all say it’s affecting their trade. It’s bad for their businesses and it’s bad for Cannock town centre.”
The driver also slammed the council for not making more disability parking spots available.
Wayne suffers from osteoporosis of the spine and has four permanently fractured vertebrae.
Mr Woolridge added: “I’m not used to Cannock, I live in Burntwood. There used to be a car park I would use on Avon Road, but that closed permanently.
“Parking in Cannock in a car park is a premium now.”
However, not everyone agrees as some drivers claim he is in the wrong.
One user claimed it is Wayne’s responsibility to check the roads properly.
They said: “Obviously a local, knows the area and knew he was wrong but took a gamble and then resorted to whining when he was fined.”
Another added: “If the signage is unclear then the council has not got power to enforce it.”
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport David Williams said: “It would be inappropriate for us to comment on this specific case as the county council can only discuss Penalty Charge Notices with the registered keeper of the vehicle.
“It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure they are parked in accordance with the regulations at all times.
“If the registered keeper of a vehicle wants to appeal their PCN, they should not pay the ticket.
“They will receive A Notice to Owner from the DVLA within 28 days of receiving the ticket and they can use this to appeal to Stoke on Trent City Council, who takes care of our civil parking enforcement.”
It comes as a man was left fuming after receiving a staggering £23,000 in driving fines despite never owning a car.
Barry, from Birmingham, claims he was sent a hundreds of parking and clean air zone penalties in just two years.
SWNSHe also slammed the council for not making more disability parking spots available[/caption]